Workplace bullying can occur anywhere. Here’s an interesting article from the US legal firm, Dana Law. While there will be differences between legislation in Australia and the US, this article provides some fascinating statistics on the prevalence of bullying and harassment in US workplaces. It also addresses the personal cost for victims of bullying. Thanks to Mia and Sophie for sharing the link with us!
In our mediation practice, we have noticed an increase in the number of people who believe they have been bullied. Frequently, allegations of bullying or harassment will be met by a counterclaim of similar behavior. Both parties may genuinely believe that they are victims of each other, regardless of their relative status within the organisation.… Continue Reading
Sometimes, we can feel uncomfortable with the way other people treat us at work. But are we being bullied? Let’s take a moment to consider the legal definition of workplace bullying. It occurs when an individual or a group of people engages in bullying behavior in the workplace. Their target may be another individual, or… Continue Reading
Sustained stress creates an unsustainable workplace. High levels of stress lead to conflict for several reasons: People try to escape from the reality of a stressful workplace by focusing their energies on their enemy—whether that person be a colleague or a manager. When people are snapped at they’ll snap at others. Stressed team members are… Continue Reading
When we find ourselves in conflict it’s easy to focus on our feelings of anger and frustration, rather than trying to identify the causes of the conflict. Sometimes, conflict occurs in the workplace because individual roles and responsibilities have not been clarified. But sometimes the causes of conflict run deep. Let’s look at five different… Continue Reading
When introverts experience emotional pain, they often wall themselves off from others. They would rather be left alone, to work through their pain in private. It’s essential to their healing. In the workplace, however, such behaviour can be seen as disengagement or disinterest. People who are in pain may not interact as freely with their… Continue Reading
Peter Sculthorpe, the Australian composer whose work celebrated Australia’s indigenous culture and evoked the mystery and grandeur of the outback, died earlier this month. He was 85—and began writing music at the age of seven. How did his piano teacher react when she found out? You might think that she would have been excited. And… Continue Reading
A recent survey by the Centre for Workplace Leadership, a research institute based at the University of Melbourne, reveals that three out of every four Australian workers are dissatisfied with their managers. They agreed that our workplaces need better management and leadership. Ironically, three out of four workers also believe that they possess the skills… Continue Reading
This is the fifth in a series of blog posts looking at five cognitive distortions of high achievers. Today, our topic is Schumpeterianism, better understood as the principal of creative destruction. Popularised by the Austrian economist Joseph Schumpeter (1883 – 1950), it states that the old must be destroyed to make way for the new. Of course, this idea itself… Continue Reading
This is the fourth in a series of blog posts looking at five cognitive distortions of high achievers. Today, our topic is blank-canvas thinking. A blank canvas offers us infinite possibilities, with minimal constraints. Blank-canvas thinkers are always searching for ideas without precedents; they’re the first to throw the Style Manual out the window. In many ways, this is… Continue Reading