How to Deal with Workplace Bullies
A weekly roundup of the latest future of work and conscious leadership news and insights
The last few weeks we’ve witnessed what is hopefully a turning point in American politics and the workplace: bullies being exposed for their vindictive behavior. In New York, many elected leaders and staff are now publicly sharing the abusive behavior of Governor Andrew Cuomo. They describe late night phone calls filled with screaming and threats of “I will destroy you.” Another former staffer described the sexual harassment and intimidation she experienced before finally quitting.
A Biden White House press staffer resigned after it was revealed he threatened a reporter with the same bullying threat, “I will destroy you.” He also tried to humiliate her by talking about her in a sexually derogatory manner.
For too long this type of behavior was dismissed as political hardball or cutthroat office politics. But as we enter the age of conscious leadership, this type of behavior will no longer be tolerated. In fact, those who do engage in this behavior will be the ones losing their reputations and jobs, not the bullied.
While it’s refreshing to see emboldened employees speak up, we still have much work to do in flushing bullying tactics out of the workplace. So what can you do when you encounter such behavior?
Consider your leverage points before speaking up. Who needs to know about the behavior and who can address it effectively?
Gather your evidence and present it in a way that is objective. This isn’t about revenge; it’s about addressing a cancer that can destroy an organization or team.
As a conscious leader, it’s your responsibility to address such behavior and decide whether the staffer can overcome this behavior and rebuild trust in the team. If it can’t be resolved, it’s time to release the bully so they can get the help they need before joining another organization.
As the employee, you can decide whether you want to stay in the situation. If it is addressed effectively, you can rebuild trust and continue to advance your career. If it is not addressed, it’s time to find a workplace with more conscious leadership.
Dealing with bullying is something that we must prioritize if we’re to create a workplace that works for everyone. It requires courage on the part of conscious leaders and those on teams who may be experiencing bullying. No workplace will ever be truly successful if it includes staff who threaten to destroy others. We can build teams that collaborate, encourage, have healthy competition, and look for win-win-wins for all.
If you want to ensure your team is overcoming challenges and operating at its peak, it’s time to work with a coach who can help address individual and team performance.
Here is some of the future of work and conscious leadership content I found interesting this week:
Mercer’s 2021 Global Talent Trends Study found that businesses are embracing conscious leadership. “Empathizing and delivering on the needs of a broader range of stakeholders became a key trend that emerged in 2020 – and is likely to persist.” These are attributes of a conscious workplace and it’s encouraging to see the trend growing.
As predicted, the pandemic is changing the landscape of where and how we work, including the rise of digital nomads. The Washington Post describes how more and more countries are creating digital nomad visas that allow workers to live for years in one place and engage more deeply in that country’s culture.
Mindful Leader shared a powerful article about how we can learn to sense another’s true nature. As a conscious leader, bringing out the best in your team means knowing who they are, not just what they do. It’s an essential skill for the future of the workplace.
Harvard Business Review addresses the need for more small talk and connection during virtual meetings. One of the drawbacks of remote work is the lack of time for unstructured socialization. It’s important for team building to make sure staff can still shoot the breeze virtually.
Work happy. Live happy. BE happy.
Meredith
The way we work and build teams is rapidly changing. Leaders often feel unprepared to navigate the transition. As a conscious leadership coach, consultant and communicator, Meredith helps leaders and their teams create new ways of working and relating so they can prepare for the future by consciously co-creating it.
Contact her to develop your conscious leadership and transform your organization into the workplace of the future.
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