Identifying the 4 Typical Employee Archetypes in Office Politics

In every workplace, different types of employees coexist—and the way they behave directly shapes office culture as well as the “power dynamics” within the organization.
To navigate office politics intelligently, you must understand who you are working with, which group they belong to, and the motivations behind their actions.

Based on the relationship between personal goals and organizational goals, many studies on organizational behavior suggest that employees typically fall into four common archetypes.
Identifying the right group not only helps you understand your colleagues, but also equips you to build effective strategies for sustainable career growth.

1. The “Martyr”

The Martyr prioritizes the organization’s goals above their own—even at the expense of personal well-being. They are dedicated, willing to work overtime, take on difficult tasks, and constantly try to please their managers.

However, excessive self-sacrifice can lead to being undervalued or taken advantage of. Many in this group don’t realize they're trapped in a cycle of overwork until burnout hits.

Typical signs include working without boundaries, not defending their own KPIs, and rarely saying “no,” even when overwhelmed.

2. The “Sociopath”

The Sociopath is the complete opposite. This group prioritizes personal gain over organizational success. They seek power quickly, desire financial advantages, and aren’t afraid to use company resources for personal benefit.

Common behaviors include misusing budgets, accepting under-the-table commissions, and choosing projects that serve their own interests rather than the organization’s.

While they may advance quickly early on, these employees often face disciplinary risks or lose credibility in the long run.

3. The “Dimwit”

The Dimwit brings instability to the workplace. They struggle with emotional regulation and often react unprofessionally—snapping, yelling, or disrupting team morale.

They tend to turn the workplace into an outlet for personal frustrations, lowering team performance and weakening company culture.
This group is prone to being eliminated because they fail to meet basic professional behavior standards.

4. The “Winner”

The Winner balances personal goals with organizational objectives. They are clear about their career path, proactive in building skills, and particularly adept at navigating office politics.

Winners set both short-term and long-term goals, maintain cross-functional relationships, actively learn, and create positive influence at work.
Their success doesn’t come from luck—it comes from strategic thinking and emotional intelligence.

This is the group most people aspire to join: confident, intentional, and capable of building a sustainable professional journey.

Why Identifying These Four Groups Matters

In an organization, each person has different motivations and priorities.
Understanding whether you're dealing with a Martyr, Sociopath, Dimwit, or Winner helps you:

• Recognize workplace relationship risks
• Protect yourself from potentially harmful behaviors
• Build appropriate collaboration strategies
• Strengthen your office politics skills
• Make smarter decisions that support your long-term career

Knowing others—and knowing yourself—is the foundation of navigating power dynamics effectively.

Conclusion

These four employee archetypes exist in almost every workplace.
Which group do you belong to? Which group do your colleagues belong to?
And more importantly—who do you want to become in the future?

Proper identification is the first step toward navigating office politics wisely, building a professional reputation, and shaping a long-term, meaningful career path.