Four Strategies to Curb Workplace Bullying

Every day we go to work with great intentions.

As leaders, we never think, ‘Today, I’m going to make our work environment hell.’ In fact, if you were to respond to a survey, you probably would say that you have a wonderful and open relationship with your employees. You would probably give yourself high marks in creating the best work environment for your team.

Statistically, though, there are three people responsible for your work environment. If you are a manager or a leader in your organization, you can pull out your cell phone, open up your camera as if to take a selfie, look at yourself and recognize that the three people who set the tone for your organization are, ‘Me, Myself and I.”

Bullying By the Numbers

Don’t get me wrong, you are probably a very nice person. But according to a 2021 WBI U.S. Workplace Bullying Survey, 65% of bullies are bosses… If you are in the majority, that could be you.

Here’s another test. Have you ever said:

• “It doesn’t happen here.”
• “Bullying has no serious impact here.”
• “Being tough does not make me a bully.”
• “People have to know when I’m not happy with them.”
• “Sometimes you have to whip ‘them’ into shape.”

Unfortunately, the five most common reactions to any complaints of mistreatment or bullying is:

• Deny it
• Discount it
• Encourage it
• Defend it
• Rationalize it

We forget about it. It’s over. But the benefactor of those unkind words NEVER forgets.

 Other key findings are:

• 60% of respondents say that American employers still react negatively when bullying is reported.
• The most frequently chosen "positive" employer reaction to workplace bullying was “zero-tolerance.”

Despite these statistics, I still believe that inside each leader's heart is an aspiration to make a turnaround towards good behaviour. I'm a firm believer of Stephen Covey's ideals on humility and wisdom in leadership. "It takes humility to seek feedback. It takes wisdom to understand it, analyze it and appropriately act on it." 

We Have The Power

As leaders, we are in a place of power and influence. As Uncle Ben said, “With great power comes great responsibility.” But it is we, as leaders, who tend to cross the threshold (which sets the tone for our culture), into the realm of incivility and unkindness,

There was a quote somewhere about the best test of character is what a person does when no one is around. I believe the true test of character is how we react when we are in crisis–when the good old lizard brain takes over. 

Sometimes, we carelessly blurt out unkind comments or words. We might instantly regret the words. You think to yourself, “Rats, I shouldn’t have said that.” But we move on to deal with the crisis at hand. We forget about it. It’s over. But the benefactor of those unkind words NEVER forgets. 

To this day, 42 years after it happened, I still remember what it felt like when Steve chastised me with raised voice and expletives in front of the whole team… and customers. It’s easy to justify that really it is he who looked bad and unprofessional. But being at the brunt of his tirade made me feel devalued, stupid and embarrassed. I was powerless and felt robbed of my dignity.

But if there is a more insidious way that leaders play an active role in the bullying culture it's... Read More