Self-sabotage at work should be described as a particular action that interferes with a stated aim. Some workplace problems come from unreasonable demands or missing authority; calling them sabotage can hide the real issue.
A worked situation: Prepare for promotion
Fictional example. An employee wants a promotion but repeatedly misses feedback meetings. A different employee lacks a manager's approval to attend. The same absence on a calendar does not imply the same choice.
Work through these questions: Prepare for promotion
| Question or field | Fictional completed example |
|---|---|
| Stated aim? | Prepare for promotion |
| Observed behavior? | Missed two feedback meetings |
| Actual constraint? | None recorded for the second meeting |
| Available repair? | Ask for a new slot and attend |
| Evidence? | Meeting completed |
Look for an available work step
In a workplace episode, distinguish withholding a ready draft from waiting for a required approval. The first may have a repair you can choose; the second has a dependency you must communicate. Ask what the behavior protected in the moment, but keep that as a hypothesis. Preserve the record of unclear duties or conflicting priorities instead of naming every delay self-sabotage.