Even though this has nothing to do with Q, I’ll offer my perspective. Work is nothing more than a microcosm of life. What are the root causes for the behaviors you identify? Appearing lazy is oftentimes because someone has become deeply jaded, they have lost hope that working in this organization will fulfill more than their need for a paycheck.

Being manipulative can have several root causes, but at the base they are trying to fill a need. Maybe they need recognition, or they think it is the only way to keep their job. The list is endless. My personal experience is you have to take the time to talk and really listen to people to understand their true needs, when you do you might be humbled for thinking poorly of someone.

I had that experience with a person I thought badly of until I learned his mom and dad both died when he was very young. His mom from a disease and his dad died while committing a crime. I went from believing this person was limited to seeing they were actually an overachiever.