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O P I N I O N
Office bullies
R egrettably, we have all been there, regardless of the profession. Whether it’s real estate, marketing, or architecture and engineering, it’s never too difficult to find a bully in the office. So let me tell you this story and see if you can relate. They are everywhere, but they don’t have to win. Identify their behavior and rectify it, or risk losing your staff.
On several occasions, a young real estate company asset manager witnessed building tenants smoking on the premises in violation of building policy. While she did not work in property management, as an up-and-coming company leader, she was concerned about the building’s reputation. She brought the matter to the property management director. The director did not respond appreciatively. Instead, she sat back in her chair, rolled her shoulders, and responded icily, “Oh, really?” She then leaned forward and started making rapid notes. The young manager waited for her to ask questions. Instead, the director continued to write. Finally, she waved away the young manager without lifting her head or uttering another word. The manager fled out the door. It had taken a lot of courage to approach the director. Now she
felt stupid and humiliated, mumbling, “What happened there?” “A bully uses superior strength or influence to intimidate others to force them to do what he or she wants. They succeed in dominating others by using a variety of behaviors.”
Julie Benezet GUEST SPEAKER
What happened there was she had run into an office bully.
What is a bully?
A bully uses superior strength or influence to intimidate others to force them to do what he or
See JULIE BENEZET, page 10
THE ZWEIG LETTER July 23, 2018, ISSUE 1257
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