Definition: A coworker who monopolizes team resources by framing every minor task as a five-alarm emergency, leaving others scrambling for scraps. Known for weaponized incompetence and crisis cosplay to hijack managers’ attention. Their self-inflicted dumpster fires always trump your deadlines, turning collaborative projects into a solo survivor challenge. Productivity plummets as they hoard the oxygen in the room.
Example: Karen’s “urgent” spreadsheet formatting demanded all-hands support while my client presentation evaporated.
Now my performance review reads “lacks initiative” beside her promotion confetti.