Trouble-Makers In the Office: How Women In Business Can Defeat The Executive Bully

Trouble-Makers In the Office: Influence and Persuasion Expert, Karen Keller, Ph.D, Advises How Women In Business Can Defeat The Executive Bully

Fort Wayne IN February 2, 2011 – Is your boss a bully or a jerk? Influence and persuasion expert, Karen Keller, Ph.D, explains what women in business can to do overcome the executive office trouble-maker.

According to Keller, “Troublemakers at the executive level are the most difficult to deal with because they have power. Nothing worse than a jerk with authority. They don’t respond to the disapproving look or your hints of objection. Most are poor communicators and lack effective leadership skills” believe they are beyond correction or reprimand.”

She adds, “Quite frankly, they believe they are beyond correction or reprimand.”

Here is Dr. Keller’s list of the 5 ways to deal with the executive bully:

1. Monitor the issue. Keep good notes on what is happening … the time wasted, who else is affected, opportunities missed, etc. When the time is right this information will be handy and bad behavior quantifiable.
2. Be prepared for conflict. The best way to deal with a troublemaker is to be proactive. Anticipate ahead of time how to handle this person’s behavior. Being prepared prevents gut reactions or responses, which may make the matters worse.
3. Stay focused on YOUR work. Don’t go looking for ways to get in the troublemaker’s path. But when paths are crossed, be prepared. Troublemakers usually thrive on tension and negativity. So be positive with any interactions. Continually focus on what is right and going well.
4. Engage a third party. Try the HR department, or another relevant executive or manager … someone in the office whom is trusted and will be somewhat understanding of the situation.
5. Move on. If the troublemaker’s behavior is out of hand and it’s obvious that the company refuses to deal with him or her, then start looking to leave this position. We spend too much time in the workplace for it to be a cause of unnecessary stress.

Keller concluded, “I’m sure you’ve heard the old adage, ‘Two wrongs don’t make a right.’ Don’t stoop down to the bully’s level of bad behavior. Continue your excellent work and feeling confident because this will counteract the any feelings of insecurity caused by the troublemaker. Act with honesty and fairness. The better you feel about yourself from the insides is what is going to be exuded to others on the outside.”

For more information, please visit http://karen-keller.com/media/women-in-business-executive-bully/.

About Dr. Keller

Karen Keller, Ph.D. is an expert in women’s leadership and assertiveness training. She is also a successful entrepreneur and author. She specializes in the skills of influence and persuasion, executive coaching, mentoring, sales techniques, management development training, motivational speaking, personal life coaching, and corporate training. Discover Influence It! Real POWER for Women now! For your free subscription visit www.karen-keller.com.