Building Collective Power to Combat Workplace Bullying
2024-08-05 08:00
Recently, I listened to a news story about the release of 24 hostages from Russia, a brilliant negotiation by the Biden administration. Despite the bleak outlook, their release was secured by involving multiple countries—Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Norway, and Belarus. This strategy, inspired by Dwight Eisenhower's philosophy, "Whenever I run into a problem I can't solve, I always make it bigger," proved effective. By expanding the scope and garnering more attention and support, they solved the problem more effectively and efficiently.
This got me thinking: could this strategy work in addressing workplace bullying? Individuals who are bullied are often alone and isolated, with zero leverage and often seen as the problem. Consequently, there is little incentive for organizations to stop bullying, especially when the bullied individual is in the minority and perceived as the issue.
Workplace bullying is a pervasive issue, affecting many individuals. The isolation and exclusion often make it seem like a personal problem rather than a systemic one. The common strategy for those being bullied is to report the incidents, but this often increases the bullying and is seen as a go-to strategy that doesn't pay off. But what if we changed our perspective and approach? What if we could make the problem bigger? Could this be a way to stand up and fight against bully culture?
In many places where I have worked, I was not the only individual being bullied. I worked in universities where many people were bullied or mistreated in various departments. But I never reached out to them to talk about their experiences. What if I had? What if I had made the problem of bullying bigger by connecting with others in the same situation? What if you did that today? Look around your organization to see what else is going on. How are other people being treated? Are others being bullied in different departments? Are other people being mistreated in other ways? Could you connect with them to make the problem bigger?
What if you started building connections with these people? By forming relationships and learning more about their experiences, you could identify similarities and see how their situations relate to yours. Could you build a network of allies that offers more leverage and helps your leaders and organization better understand the problem? Could you transform bullying into an organizational issue?
This approach has a significant benefit for anyone being bullied: you realize you are not alone. Having the support of a network of allies who share your experiences is powerful and empowering. Connecting with others reveals that bullying is a broader issue, not just an individual one. Supporting each other breaks isolation and builds meaningful relationships, which is a crucial victory for anyone being bullied.
Another benefit is that you can continue to build your network and expand it, bringing more and more people into your trusted circle. More people talking about their experiences and documenting them in a unified fashion strengthens your collective case.
Eventually, you can expand your reach and begin to discuss taking collective action. Those who have experienced bullying can start to craft and develop solutions that you believe will work. You can present your case as a unified group to HR and leadership. The strength in numbers can prompt a more serious and immediate response. A unified group can present a stronger case to leadership and HR, making it harder for the organization to ignore the problem. Collective action amplifies individual voices, making the issue more visible and urgent. Addressing bullying through collective action can lead to broader organizational changes that benefit everyone, not just the immediate victims.
By making the problem bigger and building collective power, you can transform the fight against workplace bullying from an isolated struggle into a powerful movement for change. This strategy requires time and commitment, but the long game is worth it. Just like the Biden administration took the time to negotiate and strengthen relationships behind the scenes to achieve results, this approach is both empowering and has the potential for real change. Solutions for workplace bullying become clearer and more achievable. As Dwight Eisenhower stated, "I can never solve it by trying to make it smaller, but if I make it big enough, I can begin to see the outlines of a solution."
Call to Action: If you’re experiencing workplace bullying, reach out to colleagues who might be facing similar issues. Start building your network today and take the first step towards making the problem bigger. Together, we can stand strong against workplace bullying.