Have you ever walked into a work meeting and suddenly felt like a child again — shrinking, people-pleasing, or reacting in ways that surprised even you? You're not imagining it. Narcissistic workplace dynamics can mirror the family systems many trauma survivors grew up in, and your nervous system knows it even when your conscious mind doesn't.
In this episode, I sit down with Kimberly Weeks — narcissistic abuse recovery coach and co-founder of the Global Trauma Institute — for a deeply honest conversation about how narcissism shows up at work, why it feels so familiar, and what you can do about it while honoring your healing journey.
In this episode we explore:
How childhood family system dynamics replay themselves in the workplace
What narcissistic behaviors actually look like at work — and how to recognize them
How to "gray rock" a narcissistic coworker without compromising your integrity
The difference between repair and reconciliation — and why that distinction matters
Reclaiming your agency and choice when you feel stuck and voiceless
Why distance is sometimes the most professional and protective response
Timestamps:
01:00 Kimberly's story — narcissistic family systems and her healing journey
04:00 How childhood patterns replay in the workplace
06:00 Why trauma survivors feel like children in the boardroom
09:00 The Workplace Trigger Tracker tool
16:00 Building embodiment to catch workplace warning signs early
26:00 Trust has to be earned: checking the fruit of people's lives
31:00 Setting boundaries after a workplace blowup
37:00 When the other person isn't willing or able to repair
41:00 Narcissistic workplace systems — golden children, scapegoats, and flying monkeys
47:00 What narcissistic behaviors actually look like at work
53:00 Reclaiming what "professional" actually means
01:01:00 You have choices — even when it doesn't feel like it
01:06:00 Building new pathways through discomfort
🎁 Free Resource: Download the Workplace Trigger Tracker at https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63e8e187781752946ff2bd8d
📅 Ready to explore trauma-informed career coaching? Book a discovery call: https://calendly.com/cyndibennettconsulting/30min?month=2026-04
Connect with Kimberly Weeks:
Website: thenarcissisticabusecoach.com
Instagram: @iamkimberlyweeks
Stand Firm Women's Community: DM Kimberly on Instagram
When you're ready, here are 3 ways I can help you grow your career journey:
Free trauma-informed career development resources from my website! Visit https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com for always up-to-date tips.
Ready to build a fulfilling career with trauma-informed support? Join The Resilient Career Academy Learning Community, where trauma survivors support each other, share resources, and develop career resilience in a safe, understanding environment
Ready for personalized trauma-informed career coaching? Explore my range of virtual coaching packages designed for different stages of your career journey. Visit my website to find the right support for where you are now. [Visit my website: https://www.cyndibennettconsulting.com/1-on-1-coaching]
