THE BLAME GAME: How Projection Fuels Workplace Bullying

Workplace bullying isn't just a linear case of a person in power picking on a subordinate. It’s a complex, unconscious dynamic that often involves powerful psychological defense mechanisms. One of the most significant of these is projection, where an individual attributes their own unacceptable thoughts, feelings, or impulses to someone else. In a bullying scenario, projection becomes the tool that allows the bully to offload their inner turmoil onto a victim. “The bully and the victim are psychically intertwined as if in a frenetic and parasitic dance” (Cilliers 2012, p.4).

The cycle often begins when a stressful event or a perceived threat to the bully's power or status triggers intense feelings of anxiety, frustration, or inadequacy. The bully cannot consciously tolerate these feelings. To cope, they unconsciously "project" them- literally pushing them out of their own psyche and onto a target. The victim is then chosen, often a colleague who is perceived as vulnerable. This projection can manifest in various ways in the bully’s behavior, such as unfounded criticism, exclusion from key meetings, or denying access to crucial information. The bully consciously sets up the victim to fail, but on an unconscious level, they are using the victim as a psychic container for their own "split-off" undesirable parts.

Furthermore, they may also accuse the victim of being incompetent, lazy, or dishonest, even if the bully themselves harbors those very same feelings of self-doubt. The bully is essentially saying, "I am not the one who is anxious or incompetent; you are." As this destructive process unfolds, the victim starts to internalize these projections. They may begin to believe the criticism and even blame themselves for the bullying, taking on the guilt and inadequacy that rightfully belongs to the bully.

This "blame game" becomes a parasitic and self-perpetuating cycle. By successfully projecting their negative feelings, the bully temporarily feels relief. The victim, now containing the bully's unconscious guilt, is isolated and left feeling incompetent and ashamed. This dynamic can be incredibly damaging for the victim, leading to a loss of identity and significant psychological distress. For the bully, the relief is fleeting, leading to a compulsive repetition of the behavior with new victims.

In the hit television show, The Office episode "Dwight K. Schrute, (Acting) Manager," Dwight takes on the temporary role of office manager. His first move is to implement a strict, 21-digit code for the printer. This isn't just about efficiency; it's a perfect example of projection. Dwight, who has a deeply ingrained need for control and strict adherence to rules, projects his own internal values onto the rest of the office staff. He imposes this rule because he genuinely believes his own serious, highly structured way of thinking is the correct and only way to operate. This defense mechanism allows him to avoid confronting the reality that his standards might be unrealistic for others, instead forcing them to conform to his personal worldview.

Understanding the role of projection helps us see that workplace bullying is less about who the victim is and more about what the bully is trying to get rid of within themselves.

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