By Cari Borden
Helping leaders lead smarter (and with heart).

We often hear “sectarian” and think of large-scale religious or political conflict. But here’s the truth: sectarianism can show up in your everyday life too.
👉 At work.
👉 In your community.
👉 Even within family dynamics.

So, what is sectarianism?
It’s the division of people into rigid groups, “us vs. them”, based on beliefs, affiliations, or identities. In the workplace, it can look like:

• Cliques that punish dissent
• Favoritism based on who you “align with”
• Silence being safer than speaking truth

And the worst part? You often don’t realize how deep it runs until you’re drowning in it.

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🧠 How to Cope Until You Can Get Out:

1. Name It.
If you’re sensing a pattern of exclusion, favoritism, or groupthink, trust that gut feeling. Giving it a name gives you back some power.

2. Create Psychological Distance.
You don’t have to buy in to belong. Protect your values and sanity by emotionally detaching from the drama.

3. Document the Dynamics.
Keep a private log of what you observe. Patterns reveal themselves over time, and documentation helps if you ever need to escalate.

4. Find Your People (Even if It’s One).
Allyship matters. Even one safe connection can remind you that you’re not imagining it.

5. Plan Your Exit. Strategically.
It may not be today but map your way out. Toxic sectarian spaces rarely change without disruption. Sometimes you leaving is the disruption.

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📣 You’re Not Alone.

If this post hit a nerve, it’s because this stuff is real, and it’s happening more often than we admit. Until you find your freedom, protect your peace.

🧭 Want coaching support navigating toxic environments or planning your next move?
👉 Let’s talk.
🖤 Like, share, or subscribe if you believe the first step to healing is giving it a name.