Are You About That Drama? Let’s Talk Drama at Work

Photo by Bernard Bodo

We all know that one person who turns every small situation into an epic, season-finale-worthy drama. The real question is: could *you* be that person? Before you jump to any conclusions (and maybe throw shade), let’s break down a common framework that helps us understand the role we play in creating drama in both life and work using the Karpman Drama Triangle.

In case you haven’t heard of it, the Karpman Drama Triangle was created by Dr. Stephen Karpman to explain the dynamics of human interaction in situations involving conflict, power struggles, and dysfunctional relationships. The framework is designed to help people understand the unconscious roles they play in conflicts and how these roles can perpetuate negative behaviors.

Photo by Mantra Care

The triangle maps out three classic roles people slip into during conflict: the Victim, the Rescuer, and the Persecutor. The fun part? You don’t need to be an aspiring reality TV star to fit into one of these roles. In fact, most of us have played at least one (if not all) of these roles at some point during a conflict or challenging situation. So, which one do you lean toward in conflict?  Let’s dive into workplace dynamics to get a working understanding of the triangle.

The Victim is the classic "Woe is me!" character. They feel overwhelmed, and powerless, and believe the universe (or maybe Alexis in accounting) is conspiring against them. In the workplace, Victims constantly complain about how hard their work is, blame others for their struggles, and truly feel like part of their job is an uphill battle. Tasks don’t get done, and in their mind, that’s someone else’s fault, not theirs. You’ll likely hear them sigh and drop the line, “It’s just too much for me to handle.”

Then there’s the Rescuer with the “I got it, here I come to save the day!” attitude. Rescuers love to swoop in and fix everything, making sure everyone else is okay — but secretly, they’re avoiding their issues. In the workplace, Rescuers are the ones constantly picking up slack, offering help when it’s not needed (or wanted), and doing far more than their job description requires. While they might seem like angels on the surface, their overzealous support can create dependency among colleagues and eventually lead to their burnout. The lesson here? Not all heroes wear capes...some are just overworked.

Lastly, there’s the Persecutor, the "This is all YOUR fault!" type. They thrive on criticizing, blaming, and putting pressure on others, all from a throne of self-righteousness. They can also “check out” of the workplace creating entropy.  Persecutors are the dispassionate, rule-enforcers. They’re quick to point out mistakes, enforce every policy to the letter, and ensure everyone knows how wrong they are; or they refuse to step in to support or correct an issue. They create a tense environment that makes people dread Monday mornings. Their favorite line? “If only you’d do this if you’d only…”

How These Roles Interact

The Cycle of Conflict in workplace dynamics can become a self-perpetuating loop where each role feeds off the others. A Victim's complaints can trigger the Prosecutor's criticism, prompting the Rescuer to rush in and "save the day." (watch out for Victims, who will at times, make someone or something a Persecutor to deflect from accountability). This merry-go-round of unresolved issues leads to teams not being able to work well with each other. As people in the workplace might consistently fall into these roles, a culture of blame, dependency, and lack of personal responsibility can create ongoing conflicts that remain unaddressed. Instead of collaborating effectively, team members become too preoccupied with their roles in this workplace drama or create a pretense that they are not playing a role within it. As a result, productivity takes a hit—because let's be honest, drama at work equals stress, and stress is a notorious productivity killer (as well as a soul killer). Stress creates intensity which some people might feel is working, when it’s procrastination or attention seeking.

Photo by Yan Krukau

When employees are caught in this triangle, morale plummets, tasks are overlooked, and the overall work environment becomes less enjoyable. If you live in “the drama” you will create an atmosphere where everything feels more difficult and time-consuming than it is or needs to be. To counter this cycle, it’s essential to implement strategies for breaking free from these roles. So, what’s the antidote to all this drama that’s not as complicated as the plot twist on the Real Housewives of Potomac?  

Here are some simple ways to break free from the Drama Triangle:

Set Clear Boundaries

Rescuers, I’m looking at you, boo. Not everyone needs saving. Learn to say no and create a healthy balance in your relationships and at work. It's okay to let others handle their stuff and not feel responsible for how the facts are being received.

Promote Accountability

If you are in a Victim mode, you need to take ownership of your role and responsibilities. We all mess up sometimes. It’s not the end of the world but playing the blame game isn’t going to help in situations. Now if a Victim becomes a Persecutor when challenged, then you’re moving toward a level of toxicity that might not be sustainable long term for anyone.

Foster Open Communication

Drama often flourishes where communication is lacking. If there’s one thing we could all benefit from, it’s talking to each other with openness and kindness. It’s a lot harder to point fingers and stir up drama when everything’s out in the open. If you’re having an issue and are fearful of speaking openly due to fear of retaliation, then

Now, I’m going to offer one more aspect to Dr. Karpman’s Triangle, which makes it kind of a square (sorry Mr. Karpman) - - and that’s the Bystander. This is the person who is witnessing interactions; and not engaging the dynamic but co-signing “the drama” by operating in silence. As Audre Lorde says, "Your silence will not protect you.”  It’s ok, Bystander, to step in and acknowledge when something is affecting the team because it’s affecting you too.

Photo by Antoni Shkraba

Now here’s the thing, we all fall into these roles from time to time. And power dynamics can affect how we can have agency in employment situations.  Recognizing if you’re playing any of these roles - Victim, Rescuer, Persecutor, or Bystander can be your work. Noticing when a “drama” is taking over and doing your best to neutralize a situation (or recognizing it in others) will help you keep your sanity. Breaking these cycles is possible by keeping things in perspective.

So, are you bringing drama without realizing it? Maybe a little? Now you have some insight on how to create more balanced interactions. No reality TV show hysteria is required.

For coaching around workplace dynamics see Anupama; for organizational support see Aishia or Tanisha.

Written by Tanisha Christie, LCSW (she/her)

Tanisha Christie, LCSW (she/her) is the Founder and Practice Director who champions the liberation of individuals through the acknowledgement and affirmation of their stories. With a collaborative, holistic, and directive approach, Tanisha guides clients toward healing. Her extensive experience includes roles at Mount Sinai Hospital, the Ackerman Institute for the family and private practices, offering specialized expertise in polyamorous and couple relationships, executive coaching, and clinical supervision.