-
- News
- Books
Featured Books
- pcb007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueThe Growing Industry
In this issue of PCB007 Magazine, we talk with leading economic experts, advocacy specialists in Washington, D.C., and PCB company leadership to get a well-rounded picture of what’s happening in the industry today. Don’t miss it.
The Sustainability Issue
Sustainability is one of the most widely used terms in business today, especially for electronics and manufacturing but what does it mean to you? We explore the environmental, business, and economic impacts.
The Fabricator’s Guide to IPC APEX EXPO
This issue previews many of the important events taking place at this year's show and highlights some changes and opportunities. So, buckle up. We are counting down to IPC APEX EXPO 2024.
- Articles
Article Highlights
- Columns
Search Console
- Links
- Events
||| MENU - pcb007 Magazine
Book Review: Beating the Workplace Bully
June 14, 2016 | Dan Beaulieu, D.B. Management GroupEstimated reading time: 3 minutes
By Lynne Curry, PhD
Copyright 2016 Amacom
Price $16.95
Pages: 250 with index
Beating the Workplace Bully: A Tactical Guide to Taking Charge is a great book with some really terrible stories. Wow, where did these people come from? These are some of the worst workplace stories I have ever read, or even heard about.
There’s the woman who conned her co-worker into buying her coffee on the first day and then made it a daily event. Or the boss who was always threatening to fire his staff and telling them, “There’s blood in the water.” Or the supervisor who told her new employee on the first day that it was not her choice to hire her, because she had only worked in a small firm and “did not have the sophistication this corporate position needs. You don’t even dress properly.”
The first story in the book is my favorite. Molly was a nurse who was ten months from retirement when she got a new supervisor who did everything she could to undermine her. She told Molly that the system she had set up was “antiquated” and that she would update it without Molly’s help. At the first staff meeting, the new supervisor told everyone that Molly’s system was “pitiful” and then next started a stream of negative e-mails to Molly that denigrated all of the work she had been doing for the past 20 years. This woman almost ruined Molly’s self-esteem and self-confidence. I could go on and on with these true stories about people who I consider nothing less than social monsters and mean beyond belief.
But the whole point of the book is to learn how to handle these kinds of people, counteract them, and finally to know when it is time to give up and get the heck out of Dodge.
My favorite chapter was Chapter 5, which focuses on the basic steps for handling some of these situations. From the book:
Step 1. Control your initial reactions: Take time to truly evaluate the situation.
Step 2. Control your response: Ask yourself:
- What is going on?
- Is this the way I want to be treated?
- Is this situation or bully worth taking on?
- If so how?
Step 3. Assess the situation.
Step 4. Determine why you are the target.
Step 5. Analyze the pros and cons of taking on the bully.
Step 6. Take back the power (this is the key step in my estimation): How you handle yourself is in your hands. And if you feel that this is a job you want to keep then go up against the bully. This is your job and it is within your power to keep it.
Step 7. Decide on your game plan.
The rest of the book shows you how to implement and execute your plan to handle the bully and the situation.
I was not sure I wanted to take the time to read this book, and I approached it tentatively. But once I got into it, I understood and appreciated its value. This is one of the few books that covers business from the human aspect. Yes, there are bullies out there and they can really mess up your chances of having a successful job experience. Bullying in the workplace is a real problem, and this book offers real solutions to solving those problems.
Beating the Workplace Bully: A Tactical Guide to Taking Charge is a must-read for anyone working in the real world. This is a great book for all workplaces: businesses, non-profit organizations, and even religious institutions. This book is valuable for anyone who has to deal with a bully in the workplace.
Suggested Items
Incap Estonia Teamed Up With Solaride to Fuel Youth Excitement for The World of Engineering
04/11/2024 | IncapIncap Estonia partnered with Solaride to ignite enthusiasm among young people for the world of engineering and sustainable technology. Together, they organised an inspiring day for students from grades 7 through 12 in Saaremaa. Held at Incap’s Kuressaare factory, this event brought together over 130 young minds eager to explore the innovative world of technology and learn more about advanced electronics manufacturing.
Accenture to Acquire CLIMB to Expand Technology Capabilities
04/08/2024 | BUSINESS WIREAccenture has agreed to acquire CLIMB, a technology services provider specializing in system integration, IT infrastructure management and operations, primarily in the Gunma Prefecture.
IPC APEX EXPO 2024: Kurt Palmer on the Formation of Schmoll America
04/01/2024 | Barry Matties, I-Connect007There’s exciting news for Schmoll Maschinen as Kurt Palmer leaves his role as president of Burkle North America to lead the new Schmoll America. In this interview, Kurt discusses his collaboration with Burkle North America, what it means for his new Schmoll teams, and the many machines and processes he’ll have on display at his busy booth at IPC APEX EXPO.
It’s Only Common Sense: When Your Company Starts Running Out of Popcorn
04/01/2024 | Dan Beaulieu -- Column: It's Only Common SenseCompanies, like people, get tired. I have seen companies just lose their focus, their “raison d’etre,” and just, well, fade away. More than once, I have sat in the office of a company owner, trying to console him while he asks me to “get him out of there.” Owners just get tired of the daily grind. They want off the treadmill of the constant juggling of people, strategies, customers, and, of course, cash flow.
Global Sourcing Spotlight: Don’t Be Afraid of Global Sourcing
04/03/2024 | Bob Duke -- Column: Global Sourcing SpotlightOn paper, it doesn’t seem like a great time for global sourcing. With several world conflicts, it may seem impossible to think that something like global sourcing and commercial trade between countries could begin to alleviate this tension between warring countries. But hey, I’ve always been a glass-half-full guy, so humor me. While trade between countries can indeed foster cooperation and contribute to peace in several ways, it's essential to recognize that it's not a panacea for all global issues. However, here are some ways in which trade can contribute to peace and global stability.