Defeating the Cubicle Thug

There are studies available detailing, to some level, the extent of corporate bullying that takes place in the work place. These studies indicate that up to 30% of employees experience some level of bullying during their life times. I know that we don't need studies telling us what we already know from experiencebullying is rampant in the corporate world and it takes many forms. Here's the thing though, if you are an employee being bullied in some form, then, for you, studies are simply wrong.

Corporate bullies, or professional bullies, come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. They ply their trade either outwardly and blatantly, or discreetly where only the abused know that they are being harassed and mistreated. Personally, I detest bullies. Unfortunately, direct confrontation is almost always useless because you can't argue with a skunk without coming away smelling like one and making the situation worse.

Experts will recommend different approaches on handling the professional bully using varying levels of communication styles. However, there are three requirements that must be met in order for a bully to be handled and, ultimately, disposed of. Be prepared, handling a bully without jeopardizing your job could take time:

1) The employee must understand the corporate or project team atmosphere. Are relationships encouraged? Is management visible, available and involved? Are communications open, honest and realistic? Do employees work well together?
2) The employee must understand executive behavior. Do the leaders practice what they preach? Are there cliques? Are leaders approachable and reasonable?
3) The employee must understand his or her value within the organization or project team. This last point is very important. How co-workers and bosses view you will manifest in how they react to you.

An understanding of your working environment is important to mounting a successful defense against the professional bully...especially if he is in charge. Each individual and each individual corporation will address the issue differently with only one common denominator: How highly are employees valued? I was once told by a Vice President of Human Resources: "There is no policy against bad management." I learned a lot about my corporate environment in that short sentence. I adjusted my plans accordingly.

As an employee dissects the environment, it is very important to also establish relationships with key people. Most people recognize bullies; however, management is apt to accept a bullying employee or authority if that individual produces results. It is therefore prudent for the bullied employee to align himself with individuals of influence and be vigilant for an opportunity. Relations are always important in the working world and it is a way for employees to build a base of supportover time. Genuine relationships build credibility.

Bruce Lee once stated, "Be like water." That is very valuable advice. When all else fails, mold yourself to the environment with constant vigilance for opportunity. Opportunity will knock, so long as you are taking action; you just have to recognize and be prepared to capitalize on opportunity when it presents itself.

By the way, whatever you do, don't whine or be so attached to your job that your options become severely limited.

Because life is too short to live every working day in misery.

Learn more about this author, Jose Astorga.
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