While our intent in publishing this blog is to bring current news and research on bullying and cyberbullying prevention, on occasion there’s a need to spike common understandings about bullying that appear in otherwise legitimate articles. The following article repeats the tired old cliche that bullies have “low self esteem” The research is pretty clear that the opposite is the case. People with low self-esteem are more likely to be victims, not bullies. Nonetheless, articles like this perpetuate the fiction that bullies are losers with low self esteem.
Workplace bullies must be challenged
In the workplace — Paula MacLean
Workplace bullies and schoolyard bullies share a common characteristic — they both have low self-esteem. Bullying is abuse. If the bully is a supervisor or manager, then bullying also involves the abuse of power. People who are comfortable with their personal and professional power have nothing to prove and therefore treat others with respect. People who are personally or professionally insecure often treat others badly. Although masquerading as strength or power, bullying comes from a position of weakness.
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