4 Sept 2026
It’s Not You, It’s a Pattern: Recognising Toxic Dynamics at Work and at Home
About the episode
What happens when manipulation, control and narcissistic behaviour are mistaken for strong leadership?
In this episode of Making Work Work for Humans, Sallina Jeffrey speaks with Dr Samantha Worthington, a neuropsychology and human behaviour specialist, keynote speaker, strategic adviser and bestselling author, about the patterns of behaviour that quietly damage people, teams and organisations.
Together, they examine the commercial cost of toxic leadership, including the loss of high performers, declining psychological safety, burnout, absenteeism and stalled innovation. They explore why organisations often protect powerful individuals despite the harm they cause, and why damaging behaviour is frequently dismissed as high standards, strong leadership or a personality clash.
Dr Samantha Worthington explains the relationship between narcissism and manipulation, how charisma and empathy can be used selectively, and why intelligent, capable and empathetic people are often particularly vulnerable to these dynamics.
The conversation then turns to the human experience: what prolonged exposure to manipulation does to the brain, how it activates survival responses, and how it gradually destabilises a person’s confidence and sense of reality.
Finally, Sallina and Dr Samantha Worthington explore recovery, shame, formative experiences and the difficult but transformative process of reconnecting with yourself.
This episode is not about diagnosing every difficult leader as a narcissist. It is about learning to recognise repeated patterns of behaviour, understand their impact and create healthier ways of leading, working and relating.
In this episode
The hidden commercial cost of toxic and narcissistic leadership
Why boards and organisations sometimes protect harmful leaders
The difference between narcissism as a personality structure and manipulation as a behaviour
How charisma, empathy and influence can be used as tools of manipulation
Why these behaviours are often dismissed as personality clashes or high standards
The importance of documenting patterns, incidents and observable behaviour
How fight, flight, freeze and fawn responses appear in the workplace
Why intelligent, capable, empathetic and high-performing people can become targets
How prolonged toxicity affects the brain, psychological safety and innovation
The difference between genuine leadership and control or possession
Why shame and self-blame can prevent people from recognising what is happening
How childhood experiences and emotional neglect can shape later patterns
Moving beyond healing towards growth, self-trust and reconnection
Becoming the person you once needed
A final note
If this conversation resonates with you, remember that one difficult interaction does not define a person or an organisation. Look for repeated patterns of behaviour, document what is happening and seek informed support. Recognising the pattern is often the first step towards rebuilding trust in yourself.
You are not alone, and support is available.
Connect and work with Dr Samantha Worthington
Dr Samantha Worthington works with organisations through keynote presentations, leadership workshops and advisory services focused on human behaviour, performance and psychological safety.
She also provides individual counselling and coaching for people experiencing or recovering from narcissistic abuse in workplaces, families and intimate relationships.
Dr Samantha Worthington is also the founder of Healing After Harm, a community supporting women who are living through, leaving or recovering from narcissistic abuse.
To learn more about Dr Samantha Worthington’s work, book her for an organisational workshop or keynote, explore individual support, or join the Healing After Harm community, visit:
www.samanthaworthington.com (http://www.samanthaworthington.com/)
Thank you for listening to Making Work Work for Humans. Until next time.
