Don't Let Gaslighting Dim Your Spark

Hello all,

This week we have another WIT Community Guest Post from Dariann Zielinski (Department Support, Academic Computing) at SUNY New Paltz.

You might recognize their name from this spring when they managed our Women's History Month trivia contest.

The topic is gaslighting, and Dariann provides a great introduction to the term with specific scenarios that fit into the information technology workplace. If you think you are experiencing gaslighting and questioning your own abilities and perceptions, use your collegial networks to check into what might be really happening. We have to entertain the possibility that our own perceptions are in error, but we don't need to simply accept someone else's opinion about that! Take the time to assess where you actually need to upskill or make workplace improvements, or whether you need to instead get real with a colleague and get workplace leadership to take corrective actions on your behalf.

And if you have an idea for a community guest post...send me an email!

All the best,
Holly

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Recognizing Gaslighting in Tech: Beyond Personal Relationships

While many of us associate gaslighting with personal relationships, its presence in professional settings, particularly in tech, often goes unrecognized. As a woman in IT for over two decades, research has shown how this subtle form of workplace bullying can show up differently from more obvious toxic behaviors.

Consider these scenarios:

• A colleague tells you "you misunderstood" clearly stated technical requirements
• A manager implies "you're the only ones who complain" about documented issues
• A coworker rewrites the history of project decisions or takes credit for your solutions
• Team members dismiss your technical expertise despite years of experience

What makes workplace gaslighting particularly insidious in tech environments is its subtlety. While obvious bullying (like door slamming or yelling) is easy to spot, gaslighting can often disguise itself as professional interaction. In a male-dominated field like IT, where women are often socialized to be less assertive and more accommodating, this behavior can be particularly damaging.

Recent studies indicate that 58% of professionals have experienced workplace gaslighting. In tech, where power dynamics and gender imbalances are already significant, this behavior can undermine career growth and professional confidence.

Recognizing these patterns is crucial. Document interactions, trust your expertise, and remember: questioning your experience is often about power dynamics, not your capabilities. By naming these experiences and sharing them, we can take steps to foster a healthier, more inclusive work environment.

HubSpot Blog on Gaslighting at Work
KornFerry.com
American Sociological Association