Employees continue to find creative language to describe the complex workplace relationships and dynamics they encounter. Terms like "breadcrumbing," "gaslighting," and "love bombing," once associated with dating, have now become part of the workplace vocabulary.
Below are descriptions of these terms as they relate to the workplace -- and keep in mind, recognizing these terms isn’t about creating conflict; it’s about encouraging a culture of clarity and support. Hopefully, awareness of this trend will spark everyone, from entry-level employees to seasoned leaders, to build and maintain relationships that are respectful, fair, and genuine.
1. Breadcrumbing
Traditionally, “breadcrumbing” describes someone who leads another on with small hints of interest, only to never fully commit. In the workplace, breadcrumbing is when a manager or colleague keeps someone engaged with vague promises—of promotions, projects, or even responsibilities—without ever delivering. This can lead employees to feel strung along, unsure of their future, and anxious about their role. Recognizing breadcrumbing helps individuals set clearer boundaries and expectations and fosters transparency from leadership.
2. Gaslighting
Originally coined to describe manipulative behavior in romantic relationships, “gaslighting” can describes situations where one person makes another doubt their perceptions or reality. In the workplace, this might look like a manager denying past conversations or shifting blame onto others for errors. Over time, this behavior can impact an employee's self-esteem and performance. By labeling and identifying gaslighting, employees and managers alike can better spot and address toxic behaviors, helping create a healthier, trust-based culture.
3. Love Bombing
In dating, “love bombing” occurs when someone showers their partner with attention, only to later withdraw or turn critical. In the office, love bombing might be seen when a manager initially overwhelms a new hire with praise and attention, only to disappear or turn hypercritical. This can create an inconsistent, anxiety-ridden environment for employees, who struggle to know where they stand. Awareness of this behavior encourages managers to stay consistent and supportive.
Why This Language Resonates
Borrowing these terms from dating culture highlights the similarities between professional and personal relationships: both require trust, respect, and open communication to thrive. As employees apply familiar language to new scenarios, they gain a new lens for understanding and navigating workplace dynamics. This dating-inspired lingo also help employees feel empowered to name and address behaviors that feel uncomfortable or toxic, fostering a healthier, more transparent workplace culture.
Inspired by a Forbes article.
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