Is this a common tactic of ESE's?
When ESE's don't like someone, they are going to stir up other people against them.
Example: my ex ESE would stir up my friends by telling something bad about me in the hope that they wouldn't like me or choose her side.
Example: my neighbour doesn't like it when I let my cat out. Now she's trying to stir up other neighbours so they will dislike me too. (I overheard this through my open window heheh)