Never Wrestle With Pigs: The Truth About Toxic Office Politics
“React, Respond, or Walk Away — What’s Your Move?”
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Whenever someone utters the phrase “office politics”, this quote flashes through my mind:
“Never wrestle with pigs. You get dirty… and the pig enjoys it.”
Let me share a true story.
It’s brutal.
It’s uncomfortable.
But if you’ve ever worked in a toxic office, parts of it might feel painfully familiar.
This is the story of my friend Anson.
Back in 2014, Anson joined a growing tech company.
He was exactly what every workplace claims to value — honest, humble, curious.
He just wanted to grow the right way — with skill, effort, and integrity.
But that same year… two toxic employees joined the office.
Let’s call them Tanuvi and Manvi.
Tanuvi was obnoxious, bitter, and pure evil. She was a master at spinning false stories and delivering them with convincing certainty. Backbiting and gossip were her forte.
Manvi, on the other hand, was sly — a master manipulator who thrived on mind games and victimhood. Morally flexible and unapologetically shameless, she had built her entire career on currying favor with managers.
Together, they formed an alliance built on mediocrity, manipulation, and malice.
The duo became obsessed with Anson.
At first, they tried to reel him in.
Fake friendliness. Forced smiles. Invitations to groups.
Even a series of romantic advances cloaked as playful flirtation.
They believed if they could charm Anson, they could claim him — or at least contain him.
You know how it is: there’s a thrill in associating yourself with someone of higher stature.
And Anson certainly was that.
For them, it was a way to boost their own fragile sense of worth.
But when he kept his distance — polite, but firm — they turned.
And then began the war.
They twisted his silence into pride.
His decency into awkwardness.
And his professionalism into isolation.
Lies. Whispers. Gossip.
“He’s arrogant.”
“He thinks he’s too good for us.”
“He ignores us.”
“He thinks everyone is below him”
“He’s into us romantically, but playing hard to get.”
The filth grew.
The worst part?
People believed them. Because if you say something with enough confidence — and enough frequency — even absurdity starts to sound like truth.
Soon, others joined the hyena pack.
Anson’s progress stalled.
His confidence eroded.
By 2018, he was a shadow of his former self.
Anson resigned, hoping to leave the toxicity behind.
But it didn’t end there.
Manvi and Tanuvi created fake social media accounts.
They stalked him online.
Anonymous posts. Snide comments. Targeted harassment.
It was personal.
It was relentless.
It was psychopathic.
Because here’s the thing about people like them:
When they can’t own you, they aim to destroy you.
They know your weaknesses.
They wait.
And they hit you where it hurts — again and again — until you question your worth, your talent, even your sanity.
Anson broke.
Not all at once.
But slowly — like a man being chipped away from the inside.
But here’s the part that matters:
He didn’t stay broken.
It took time.
Therapy. Solitude. Self-work.
But brick by brick, he rebuilt himself.
Wiser.
Stronger.
Kinder.
Not in spite of the pain — but because of it.
And the others?
Karma came.
Today, Tanuvi and Manvi are entangled in bitter personal and professional messes.
Divorces. Investigations. Job insecurity.
Their carefully crafted illusions and lies are falling apart.
Anson, on the other hand, is thriving.
He now runs his own business and has vowed never to work for people who enable toxicity.
Yes, Tanuvi and Manvi still stalk him.
Yes, they still send anonymous messages when they see him doing well. Jealousy pangs torment them.
But he no longer cares.
As Anson says:
“Karma may not be fast, but she’s ruthlessly accurate.”
What can we learn from this?
1. Speak Up
Anson made a mistake by staying silent.
While the others spread lies, he never shared his side.
Don't make that mistake.
Silence isn’t always noble; sometimes, it’s dangerous.
2. Confront Toxic Power
Petty managers who pander sycophants are not royalty.
They are employees like everyone else.
If your integrity is under attack, go up the chain.
Speak to senior leadership — even the CEO.
If no one listens, leave. Immediately.
No job is worth your mental health.
3. Protect Your Standards
Stay away from toxic circles.
You don’t owe them empathy.
Let them call you rude, distant, or selfish.
Being selfish is better than being self-sabotaging.
4. Don’t Reveal Your Vulnerabilities
Don’t show your humane side to those who feed on it.
They will use your kindness as a weapon.
Protect your energy. Guard your peace.
Because in the end, if you’ve managed to hold on to your values, your self-worth, and your peace of mind, you’ve won.
If this resonated with you, feel free to pass it on to your network.
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