Smiles on the Outside, Sabotage on the Inside: Dealing with Toxic Colleagues in Sales

I remember it like it was yesterday.

We were in the middle of Q3, numbers were tight, and I had just managed to secure an important deal with a key account after weeks of follow-ups. At the next team meeting, my colleague smiled across the table and said, “Wah, power lah… but I heard the client said they preferred the other brand.”

I laughed politely.

But inside, I felt it—that quiet nudge of sabotage hiding beneath a compliment.

If you’ve ever worked in a high-pressure sales team—especially in industries like pharma—you’ve probably met someone like that. The kind of colleague who pretends to cheer for you in public but undercuts you in private. They smile with you, makan lunch with you… but when the boss isn’t looking, they’re playing a different game.

So let’s talk about them—the toxic ones. And more importantly, how to spot, survive, and succeed in spite of them.

1. The Quiet Underminer Doesn’t Come With a Name Tag

Here’s the truth: toxic people aren’t always loud or obvious. In fact, they’re often the ones who blend in.

They:

• Share info only after deadlines pass
• "Accidentally" forget to include you in a group chat
• Drop small doubts about you in front of the manager
• Smile while they do it

In sales, where everyone’s running hard for KPIs, it can feel like a game of musical chairs—and toxic reps will do anything to not be the one left standing.

 

2. Sales Settings That Feed the Fire

Toxic behavior thrives in:

• Highly competitive teams with no transparency
• Environments where bosses play favorites
• Cultures that value results over process

Ever worked in a place where the same person gets praised for “team effort” but never actually helps the team? Yup. That’s it.

And if you’re too focused on just your numbers, you might not even notice what’s happening—until your name starts getting left out of meetings, your deals get questioned, or your manager suddenly doubts your performance.

 

3. Why We Stay Quiet (Even When We Know Something’s Off)

Let’s be honest: a lot of us just try to “buat bodoh.”

Why?

• We don’t want drama.
• We don’t want to seem petty.
• We think, “Maybe it’s just me…”

But staying quiet protects them, not you.

 

4. How to Respond Without Playing Dirty

No, you don’t have to start a war. But you also don’t need to be a victim.

Here’s how to protect your turf with class:

 

🔹 Keep Receipts

Save WhatsApp chats, emails, call logs—anything that shows you’ve done the work.

 

🔹 Recap Everything in Writing

After joint visits, send a polite follow-up to both your manager and the colleague. Something like,

 

“Hi team, just recapping the discussion with Klinik ABC earlier. Dr. Lee showed interest in Product X and will follow up next week.”

 

It’s subtle. But now it’s on record.

 

🔹 Stay Professional, Always

Never gossip back. Never stoop.

Let your performance and paper trail speak for you.

 

5. Focus on Clients, Not Colleagues

This is the part toxic people hate:

When you don’t react, and instead double down on your relationships with clients, you take away their power.

Be the rep that:

• Clients remember for honesty
• Colleagues respect for consistency
• Bosses trust because you never complain—you deliver

 

Final Thoughts: Toxic Doesn’t Last Forever—But You Can

Sales is already demanding. Add in backbiting, insecurity, and internal politics, and it can feel overwhelming. But here’s the thing: 

🚫 Toxic people rarely outlast the consistent ones.

✅ Good clients notice.

✅ Good managers notice.

✅ And most of all, you notice—when you choose your peace over pettiness.

If you’ve ever been burned by a colleague who smiled in your face but chipped away behind your back, know this:

You’re not alone. And you’re not powerless.

You can win without war. You just need a strategy.

 

💬 Tell Me — Have You Faced This?

Ever had to deal with a toxic teammate? How did you handle it? Share your experience in the comments or email me directly—I’d love to feature some stories (anonymously) in a follow-up post.

 

Disclaimer

This post is based on real experiences and industry patterns but does not reflect the behavior of any specific individual or company. Every sales environment is unique—always approach conflict resolution based on your own judgment and context.