“ I am being bullied, and I don’t know what to do?” My colleague George said.
George and I have been working together for five years now. He is one of the most skilled and qualified teachers. However, his co-workers are bullies and the supervisor is siding with the majority.
“ What should I do? I feel hopeless” George said.
“ You are not hopeless. You know what to do. So, do it” I said.
Like any victim, most people feel they have no option when someone bullies them, so they shut down.
I suggested the 45-seconds technique for George to use. This technique stems from answering this question“ what is the smallest action you can take to defend yourself?”
Take 45-Seconds to Face The Bully
Describe the action as bullying and tell it straight to the bully’s face. Use a 45-second conversation to tell the bully that he/she is a bully. When you see the bully in the hallway, walk towards him or her and tell them, what they are doing is wrong. For example, you can “ Hey, you know when you yelled at me the other time you were a bully.” Usually, the bully will deny it, so, be prepared to assert your point. Rephrase your sentence and use adjectives to make your point.
Tips to Enhance the Technique
You can practice saying short sentences or phrases to the bully daily. Make it a habit to face the bully.
- If your supervisor is the bully, then click here to read how to deal with him or her.
- Avoid using vague phrases like “what you did the other day,” or “what happened the other day.” Using such phrases will get the bully to torment you more.
Goerge reported great success after utilizing the 45-seconds technique.
