Dealing With Bullies at Work

Can’t we just all get along?  Probably not — if some people in the workplace have their way.  Bullies in the workplace have existed as long as there have been workplaces, so it makes sense to have some strategies in place for dealing with these people.  Join the Wily Manager guys this week as they talk about how to handle Bullies at Work.

Monday’s Tip:       Determine if you’re dealing with a Bully.  Make sure you keep it in perspective… a Bully isn’t simply someone who says something you don’t like, or who doesn’t like you.  Bullying behavior is aggressive, intimidating and hostile.

Tuesday’s Tip:       Suppress Your Emotions.  Many Bullies are motivated by provoking emotional responses in others.  Don’t allow them that satisfaction.  Stay as rational as possible, and focus on the issue at hand to take the wind out of the Bully’s sails.

Wednesday’s Tip:       Acknowledge the Bully’s point.  It is important that you don’t cede ground to a Bully, but you can acknowledge their point, by restating it to them in neutral terms.  By virtue of simply being heard, you may diffuse the situation.

Thursday’s Tip:       Ask the Bully for a solution.  Often Bullies aren’t interested in the solution, but rather simply enjoy the fight.  By asking them for their suggested solution, you may be able to disarm some of their hostility.

Friday’s Tip:       Adjourn if necessary.  In some cases, you may want to adjourn your meeting with a Bully – particularly if you feel emotionally compromised.  If you choose this course of action, you must follow up however – otherwise you are signaling to the Bully that s/he has won.