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The Bully-Proof Workplace: Essential Strategies, Tips, and Scripts for Dealing with the Office Sociopath
Smart strategies for managing workplace bullies out of your life and business More than one in four Americans deals with an on-the-job bully. These office sociopaths don’t just make individuals miserable. Their poison spreads throughout the company, damaging overall morale, creativity, productivity, and profitability. It doesn’t have to be this way. Leading consultants Peter Dean and Molly Shepard have helped vanquish workplace bullying and now share their proven methods with you. In The Bully-Proof Workplace , they provide vital insight into the four major types of The Belier | Weapons of slander, deception, and gossip
The Blocker | Weapons of negativity and inflexibility
The Braggart | Weapons of narcissism and a sense of superiority
The Brute | Weapons of aggression and intimidation These bullies may operate differently, but they all have one thing in a desperate need for control based on deep-seated fear and insecurity. This invaluable survival guide equips individuals with strategies, tips, and scripts for managing interactions with bullies. Managers learn how to identify bullying, deal with it swiftly, and introduce zero tolerance for such behavior. And executives gain the information they need to create a corporate policy regarding bullying. We spend about 60 percent of our waking moments at work. Spending that much time under the thumb of a bully and dealing with the negative business effects of bad behavior is simply unacceptable. Whether you’re a victim of bullying or a business leader tasked with building a collaborative corporate culture, The Bully-Free Workplace provides the critical insight and practical tools you need to successfully combat this ubiquitous but rarely addressed business challenge and ensure that bullies behave―or leave―so you and everyone else can get on with your work.
The Blocker | Weapons of negativity and inflexibility
The Braggart | Weapons of narcissism and a sense of superiority
The Brute | Weapons of aggression and intimidation These bullies may operate differently, but they all have one thing in a desperate need for control based on deep-seated fear and insecurity. This invaluable survival guide equips individuals with strategies, tips, and scripts for managing interactions with bullies. Managers learn how to identify bullying, deal with it swiftly, and introduce zero tolerance for such behavior. And executives gain the information they need to create a corporate policy regarding bullying. We spend about 60 percent of our waking moments at work. Spending that much time under the thumb of a bully and dealing with the negative business effects of bad behavior is simply unacceptable. Whether you’re a victim of bullying or a business leader tasked with building a collaborative corporate culture, The Bully-Free Workplace provides the critical insight and practical tools you need to successfully combat this ubiquitous but rarely addressed business challenge and ensure that bullies behave―or leave―so you and everyone else can get on with your work.
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Published August 15, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 9, 2017
While I have never been bullied on a job, I have seen others. At those times, I was not in an authoritative position to step in and make a difference. And so I didn't. I wish, now, that I had this book under my belt way back then! I hope the powers that be make this subject mandatory for anyone seeking a degree in business management! It would make a HUGE difference in the workplace for so many!
The authors state that bullying in the workplace has become a crisis. This I can believe. You can't get on any of the social media sites and not see where someone is being bullied. Even for something as commonplace as bad grammar, their beliefs, their political stance, and so much more!
Especially in America, while a global problem, bully's are not having enough of a consequence to pay for their actions and words to inspire individuals to stop. And until action is taken against bullying in this country, we aren't going to see a change. (I saw on one media site where a 14-year old hung himself last week because he was bullied at school.)
First, we need to teach our children. Inspire them to ignore the bullying remarks. And how do we do this? We start off with the kind of parenting that builds up our children, and doesn't leave them vulnerable to bullying. A bully can't succeed unless we let him/her.
Beginning with what the crisis is, the authors of this book teach how to deal with bullies. First by standing up for yourself. Being able to identify the four kinds of bullies that there are: the Belier, the Blocker, the Braggart and the Brute. And finally, getting rid of them.
The authors then move on to seeking help if you are unable to defuse the situation on your own! Wise advice.
They, the authors, move forward into how to make a bully-proof team in your office. Their instruction is geared more toward the managerial office person, but does go into working with your manager to make a bully-proof work place.
And lastly, how to create a bully-proof workplace and keep it. Changes have to come to hiring and firing policies, so you may have to work from the bottom up, or the bottom down. And if you have no success in changing your workplace, what your choices are.
Again, I think this should be required reading in earning a managerial degree.
I give this book Five Stars!
And a big Thumbs Up!
I also give this book my Highly Recommended Award!
The authors state that bullying in the workplace has become a crisis. This I can believe. You can't get on any of the social media sites and not see where someone is being bullied. Even for something as commonplace as bad grammar, their beliefs, their political stance, and so much more!
Especially in America, while a global problem, bully's are not having enough of a consequence to pay for their actions and words to inspire individuals to stop. And until action is taken against bullying in this country, we aren't going to see a change. (I saw on one media site where a 14-year old hung himself last week because he was bullied at school.)
First, we need to teach our children. Inspire them to ignore the bullying remarks. And how do we do this? We start off with the kind of parenting that builds up our children, and doesn't leave them vulnerable to bullying. A bully can't succeed unless we let him/her.
Beginning with what the crisis is, the authors of this book teach how to deal with bullies. First by standing up for yourself. Being able to identify the four kinds of bullies that there are: the Belier, the Blocker, the Braggart and the Brute. And finally, getting rid of them.
The authors then move on to seeking help if you are unable to defuse the situation on your own! Wise advice.
They, the authors, move forward into how to make a bully-proof team in your office. Their instruction is geared more toward the managerial office person, but does go into working with your manager to make a bully-proof work place.
And lastly, how to create a bully-proof workplace and keep it. Changes have to come to hiring and firing policies, so you may have to work from the bottom up, or the bottom down. And if you have no success in changing your workplace, what your choices are.
Again, I think this should be required reading in earning a managerial degree.
I give this book Five Stars!
And a big Thumbs Up!
I also give this book my Highly Recommended Award!
February 21, 2017
This book addresses a topic that a number of people face in the workplace but have no idea how to handle.
It was inspired by the bullying scandal that broke out in the NFL team, the Miami Dolphins.
Peter and Molly provide practical strategies for handling bullies in the workplace. They further classify these bullies as Beliers, Blockers, Braggarts and Brutes.
Identifying the class under which a workplace bully falls helps in engaging them effectively and ensuring one seeks help before it gets out of hand.
I really found the questions for managers/ leaders useful as it helps identifies opportunities for managers to connect with employees in their care.
Rating: 4/5
Favourite Quote: “If we allow ourselves to be dependent when we are being bullied, we may acquiesce to the bully and not stand up for ourselves. If we choose to flee the scene of bullying, which many of us opt to do, we carry the stress of that experience with us to the next scene. If we choose to fight, then this book is invaluable to you.”
This book addresses a topic that a number of people face in the workplace but have no idea how to handle.
It was inspired by the bullying scandal that broke out in the NFL team, the Miami Dolphins.
Peter and Molly provide practical strategies for handling bullies in the workplace. They further classify these bullies as Beliers, Blockers, Braggarts and Brutes.
Identifying the class under which a workplace bully falls helps in engaging them effectively and ensuring one seeks help before it gets out of hand.
I really found the questions for managers/ leaders useful as it helps identifies opportunities for managers to connect with employees in their care.
Rating: 4/5
Favourite Quote: “If we allow ourselves to be dependent when we are being bullied, we may acquiesce to the bully and not stand up for ourselves. If we choose to flee the scene of bullying, which many of us opt to do, we carry the stress of that experience with us to the next scene. If we choose to fight, then this book is invaluable to you.”
July 20, 2017
Reading a book like this irritates and saddens me, since there should not be a need for it: you don’t go to work to be bullied!
The reported statistics are shocking, with nearly half of American workers saying they have either been a target of, or a witness to, workplace bullying. Of course, where there is a victim, there is also someone doing the bullying too. Both elements need to be addressed, as bullying can leave deep psychological scars, create health issues and cause innumerable problems to the workplace-at-large.
The authors seek to highlight the problem and provide some real-world advice to help reduce it, defusing issues before they blow up. This hopefully can lead to gradual change and greater positive attitudes. No one can expect the problem to disappear overnight, more’s the pity.
Even where there is no specific bullying, much of the advice has the potential to generally help boost productivity and employee cohesion by nibbling away at the issues that often develop into something more serious. As well as helping a victim of bullying, one great part of the book is the ability for a manager to help identify and stamp out bullying too. Nice statements are one thing, positive and strong action is another.
It made for an interesting read that could deliver real help for many as circumstances dictate.
The reported statistics are shocking, with nearly half of American workers saying they have either been a target of, or a witness to, workplace bullying. Of course, where there is a victim, there is also someone doing the bullying too. Both elements need to be addressed, as bullying can leave deep psychological scars, create health issues and cause innumerable problems to the workplace-at-large.
The authors seek to highlight the problem and provide some real-world advice to help reduce it, defusing issues before they blow up. This hopefully can lead to gradual change and greater positive attitudes. No one can expect the problem to disappear overnight, more’s the pity.
Even where there is no specific bullying, much of the advice has the potential to generally help boost productivity and employee cohesion by nibbling away at the issues that often develop into something more serious. As well as helping a victim of bullying, one great part of the book is the ability for a manager to help identify and stamp out bullying too. Nice statements are one thing, positive and strong action is another.
It made for an interesting read that could deliver real help for many as circumstances dictate.
January 4, 2022
While I was interested in the descriptions of the different types of workplace bullies and the characteristics that define them, I would not say this book is very helpful in actually dealing with bullies beyond identifying them. Many of the "scripts" included would likely lead to further bullying, and I found myself skimming through most of them after the first one or two. There were definitely benefits to learning about the different types of bullies and whether they are introverted or extroverted, though, and I found myself identifying coworkers from my past who had those characteristics. That gave me a better understanding of some of my own experiences, so the book was useful in that regard. There is definitely worth to be had as long as you're not looking for a way to get a bully to stop harassing you, because that aspect of the book definitely misses the mark.
May 12, 2017
I would recommend that everybody read this book, if just to know that anybody can end up facing middle school behavior, even deep into middle age and beyond.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure if the dialogues presented in this book are very realistic. I think if I tried talking to a bully that way, that would cause him to double down against me.
But if you are feeling bullied at work, it helps to know that it is not just you, and that there are people experiencing exactly what you are.
Unfortunately, I'm not sure if the dialogues presented in this book are very realistic. I think if I tried talking to a bully that way, that would cause him to double down against me.
But if you are feeling bullied at work, it helps to know that it is not just you, and that there are people experiencing exactly what you are.
October 12, 2017
Had a little trouble with the first few chapters, but once they got into the types of bullies and how to deal with them it was really informative and useful. Recommend for both managers and employees.
Best when paired with a book like Difficult Conversations.
Best when paired with a book like Difficult Conversations.
February 22, 2018
Loved it and I think most businesses that have leadership programs should require them to read this. The different types of bullies and how to handle them was very insightful. I’m much more alert on bullying tactics that I would have usually missed.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews