Bully in the Boardroom?

<p>Whether it’s in the highest court in the land, the corporate boardroom, or any other room, most of us have experienced bullying, implicit or explicit, at some time in our career. With the current political climate, it’s not a stretch to say that it is likely to get worse before it gets better.<br/><br/>This hit to company culture is expensive because it causes physical and emotional collateral (difficulty sleeping, higher stress, anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure and depression which translates into more sick time, increased healthcare and lower productivity) which in turn makes bullying financially costly as well, says Holly Wintermute of the Fisher Phillips law firm.<br/><br/>A study by the online employment service, Monster, found that about 90% of workers have been bullied at their place of employment. As if this isn’t bad enough, imagine if you are someone who is marginalized or double marginalized.<br/><br/>Here are a 4 things we can do to take control and prepare our mindset to speak up and stand up for ourselves in a very authentic way, even when we encounter a bully.<br/><br/><b>1.) Warm the Room:</b><br/>Whether you’re in a 1:1 meeting (preparing others for these is my passion and blackbelt, so please do reach out if I can help you in any way) or for a group meeting, presentation or speech, gather as much information as you can about the other attendees, especially those who have the potential to be a bully. What matters to them? Why? Where might you get push back? Do the both of you have a common goal? If you don’t know, do your best to find out. You want to be able to hold your ground, but there’s homework to be done first.<br/><br/><b>2.) Prepare Your Environment:</b><br/>At least for now, these interactions are likely to be virtual, so prepare your environment accordingly. What can you wear that makes you feel confident? Will you take your coffee black or have a royal cup of tea handy? Is there a scent that triggers confidence (It’s peppermint for me!)? Don’t forget to place a glass of water