Bullying in the workplace has become an important topic in today's world of leadership. Many of us have experienced workplace bullying during some time in our careers.
Today, I am going to discuss the warning signs of Workplace Bully Leaders to increase awareness.
What is Workplace Bullying?
According to Wikipedia Workplace bullying is a persistent mistreatment pattern from others in the workplace that causes either physical or emotional harm. It can include such tactics as verbal, nonverbal, psychological, physical abuse, and humiliation. This type of workplace aggression is particularly difficult because, unlike the typical school bully, workplace bullies often operate within the established rules and policies of their organization and their society. In the majority of cases, bullying in the workplace is reported as having been by someone who has authority over their victim. However, bullies can also be peers and occasionally subordinates.
Signs of a Possible Workplace Bully Manager:
Demeaning, disrespectful, and devaluing employees capabilities
Public ridicule, sarcastic, insults, name-calling, threats, and intimidation
Targeting and creating social isolation with staff
Blaming, lying, gossiping, spreading rumors, and whispering
Failing to give credit to employees for their work
Overloading targeted employee with a huge workload
Micro-Manages and commands respect without earning it
A know it all
Bully managers create isolation and silo work environments. They divide staff and departments to keep control.
Why don't people speak up? Employees are afraid of losing their jobs.
Bullying by leadership has several physical and behavioral health issues for the targeted employees.
Warning Signs of an Employee Being Bullied:
Becomes less socially active or confident
Appears scared, stressed, anxious or depressed
Calling out sick more frequently than normal
Physical signs of tension such as headaches, backaches, not sleeping well, and suicidal thoughts
If bullying is unaddressed, the aggression and unresolved conflicts will continue to escalate. When not dealt with, it causes adverse effects on the targeted workers - maybe even psychological, financial and physical burdens.
The Results to the Employers:
High Turnover and Absenteeism
Low Productivity
Lack of Creativity
Legal Costs
Damaged Reputation
If you recognize Workplace Bully Leaders in your organization or within yourself:
Here are a few tips to encourage behavioral change for this type of leadership style.
Sit down with them and discuss the behavior you have observed
Ask questions, give feedback on their management style and suggestions on how to improve engagement with staff
Set a zero-tolerance approach to workplace bullying
Build trust and open-door policies to discuss bullying
Schedule leadership training courses, primarily on bullying - Udemy.com
Schedule emotional intelligent courses - Udemy.com
Schedule interpersonal communication courses - Udemy.com
Schedule conflict resolution courses - Udemy.com
Schedule constructive criticism courses - Udemy.com
Read John C. Maxwell Relationships 101 book
Get them a mentor who is a successful leader
Hire a leadership coach to help them succeed
Becoming a Better Leader [e-Book] Click here to download your copy.
Takeaway:
Bullying promotes an atmosphere of fear, vulnerability, anxiousness, and uncertainty. Awareness is the key to change. Develop a zero-tolerance workplace accompanied by training, coaching, and mentoring to display compassion, empathy, safety, and trust.
Have you had a Workplace Bully as a Boss?
If yes, How did they make you feel?
How did you overcome it?
Answering these questions above and sharing your experiences may help someone else dealing with a workplace bully.
Comments are always welcome, and please share this post with your colleagues, friends, and family on your social networks! Sharing is caring.
If you found this blog post helpful, how about sharing a cup of coffee with me. ☕️