Workplace Bullying Lessons

Workplace Bullying Lessons

Workplace Bullying Lessons

Diversity makes a difference
Remember this 1964 Burl Ives Classic remake of Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer? He has some bullying lessons for us? He was that cute little guy who was banished to the island of misfit toys because of his red nose, all a target of bullying. While many of us grew up on this Christmas fable, this story and others taught youngsters, and then adults, that picking on the different kid… that bullying was all right, just part of growing up. The rite of passage was bullying for many. In this charming story, Rudolf eventually prevails when he saves Christmas Eve, despite being rejected and a constant target of bullying.

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Embrace your Rudolfs

However at work, bullying and picking on different staff can not only create turnover, it can cost organizations close to $64 billion a year. YES! with a B— bullying costs in the BILLIONS.  Bullying, which includes excluding people from meetings, lunches, and social functions, is not child’s play. This bullying behavior affects 37% of the workplace, and has often been deemed the silent epidemic. What is ironic, it is the diversity in thinking and talents that makes for innovation. Bullying kills this innovation.  Bullying creates a non productive environment.  Bullying at work destroys the office culture. If Rudolf was not different with his red nose, he couldn’t save the day. Similarly, people with different ideas create wonderful solutions in Facebook, cell phones, art, cooking, and in business.  If they were busy fighting off bullying, they would spend more time defending themselves from bullying and less time creating. The lessons learned include: embrace your Rudolfs. Curtail workplace bullying and allow innovation to flourish.