Unmasking the Martyr: How to Identify and Deal with Them in the Workplace

Having a martyr in the workplace can be risky as they possess not only the ability to perform their own job, but also the capability to assume the responsibilities of others. Similar to a super achiever, they aim for success in everything they do, but above all, they crave recognition and a lasting legacy of their achievements.

Illness holds no weight in the mindset of these individuals. Regardless of feeling acutely unwell, they will show up to work as they believe that without their presence, everyone else will inevitably fail. The consequences of potentially spreading their illness to others in the office are irrelevant to them, as long as they have fulfilled their own perceived obligation to be present.

A martyr is not a team player and normally upsets their coworkers with their constant attention seeking of what they've had to cope with when getting through the working day. If they're going to make a coffee for a coworker then they'll ensure the whole team gets one. Do not think that this is out of kindness, there is always an ulterior motive behind everything they do.

At the end of the day, the martyr may have gained your trust by performing a seemingly kind act, such as making coffee for you. This behavior can be used to manipulate others into thinking they are a team player, when in reality, they are not.

A Martyr will create a meeting, ask all the questions, some how come with all the answers to those questions, take the meeting notes and take on all the actions and meet the tasks of these actions within a deadline.

You may feel like your presence and contributions were unimportant, but the martyr's actions will linger in your memory, leaving you puzzled as to how they were able to achieve so much during a meeting, even if their accomplishments were illusory. Despite this, the martyr has a way of convincing others that they were successful in their endeavors.

10 ways to spot a martyr in the work place

1. Constantly taking on more work than they can handle: Martyrs may feel pressure to prove themselves or be seen as indispensable, leading them to overcommit to tasks and projects.
2. Refusing help or delegating tasks: Martyrs may feel that they need to do everything themselves and may resist attempts to delegate tasks or accept help from others.
3. Exaggerating the difficulties of their tasks: Martyrs may try to gain attention or sympathy by exaggerating the difficulties they are facing.
4. Neglecting their own well-being: Martyrs may prioritize their work over their own needs, leading to burnout or other negative impacts on their health and well-being.
5. Being inflexible: Martyrs may be resistant to change or new ideas, as they may see them as a threat to their own status or importance.
6. Claiming to work excessively long hours: Martyrs may try to prove their dedication by claiming to work long hours, even if it is not necessary or productive.
7. Seeking recognition for their efforts: Martyrs may try to gain recognition or praise for their hard work, often to the point of seeking attention or recognition for tasks that are part of their job responsibilities.
8. Being critical of others: Martyrs may be critical of others who do not seem to be working as hard as they are, or who are not as committed to their work.
9. Refusing to take time off: Martyrs may feel that they cannot afford to take time off or may not want to leave their work behind, even when it is necessary for their own well-being.
10. Ignoring their own limits: Martyrs may push themselves to the point of exhaustion, ignoring their own physical and emotional limits.

Being the opposite of the quick favour coworker, the Martyr will take on everything in order to prove that they work the hardest and sacrifice the most. While they’re trying to accomplish a lot, they actually have a negative effect on productivity as they don’t work well with others and undermine their colleagues’ confidence.

Martyrs will do everyone's work and bend over backwards to go above and beyond the call of duty. Martyrs love details so much that they will often compulsively go over lists and numbers 3 or even 10 times, just to make sure that what they had actually did was correct.

Martyrs want to be the special one in the office, the one whom everyone calls to discuss a problem personal or professional.  Martyrs are useful to have on your team so long as you are immune to guilt feelings.  Although their work is usually quite good, the refrain of "look at all I did!" gets old quickly.

If you take away all the extra jobs they piled onto their work schedule, they will find a way to get it back on their agenda.  Even if you forbid them from taking on extra projects, they will claim you insisted that they do the extra work.

Martyrs have a talent for sulking and often do so quite effectively. Despite claiming they don't desire recognition or praise, they repeatedly complain about feeling overworked, underpaid, and underappreciated. When they feel their efforts aren't acknowledged, they may resort to gossiping and speaking negatively about others behind their backs.

A simple technique to deal with the Martyr

Like the people pleaser, give as much as your work to this c0worker, and tell them how great they are. They can go off and tell everybody else that they're doing your work. Who cares! Just remember to carry out the tasks that really count and convince them that the trivial administrative tasks you're asking them to do, is what your line manager wants to see achieved.

How to deal with the super achiever in the workplace

Super achievers can cause real chaos when they start working in any organisation. Their only intention is to be the best at everything they do and they will do whatever it takes to achieve it.

Office BantomimeJames Mason