THE POWER OF 'WE'

And there it was ... 

Another meeting where I was told my team wasn't performing and still not delivering to the right level. I was getting more and more frustrated by the constant uncalled for criticism and all I wanted to do was offer some 'free advice' ... it was starting to feel like a personal assault.

And breathe ... just breathe ... he is just a bad communicator ... he has always done it this way ... don't let it grind you down ... you are bigger than this ...

I got defensive and shouted back - that got me nowhere

I just took it and said nothing - that got me nowhere

I stood up and walked away - that got me nowhere and then there was THAT meeting where I asked very calmly for his help. I asked him to help me understand how this was helping US move closer to the delivery of the project in question ...

Silence ...

I was stunned ...

I was buzzing, had I cracked this? 

Is this all that was needed? Some kind of pattern interrupt? 

So I asked to clarify our vision so we were clear on our objectives so that we were able to come to an agreement that we are working towards this goal.

This was the point that things started to change for me ...

Moving the conversation from me and you to WE was the point where the focus was on the outcome (rather than on me) and how WE can be successful.

I realised that a mutual understanding is enough to quiet the critic and we, therefore, were in a better position to pull in the same direction. 

Does this sound familiar? 

Question is, are you at the point where you know you have to take the next steps?

I would love to hear more about your experiences and would like to invite you to complete my survey or message me with more details about your story.

Please CLICK HERE to complete my survey.

If you want to know a little more about it then please scroll down and read more below.

INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN MY STUDY ON WORKPLACE CULTURE

I need your support, please. I am conducting a study for my book, Roar! How to tame the bully, and I would be very grateful if you would participate in my study.

In my eBook, you will have read about my own experience with workplace bullying and its toll on my relationships and my health (mentally and physically). That is why I am determined to help others recognise the signs of workplace bullying early on and to take action before it is too late.

If you have worked in a situation where you have been the Witness or Target of:

1. behaviour that is intentionally negative and malicious, whether physical or emotional, from one or more persons,
2. negative behaviour that is consistently aggressive and persistent, and
3. behaviour that is driven by another person’s desire to obtain control.

Then I would like to invite you to participate in this study.

This survey is being sent to individuals working in organisations across all industries worldwide. Your participation will help assure that the results generated present an accurate reflection of the prevalence of bullying behaviour in workplace cultures today.

TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY - CLICK HERE

The survey is anonymous and treated in the strictest confidence. You may refuse to answer any question or quit the survey at any time. It will take approximately 10-20 minutes to complete.

I’d love to get industry and country-specific analysis too, so the more responses I get, the better, so please feel free to send this link to your colleagues.

Thank you in advance,

Marilise de Villiers

TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY - CLICK HERE

PS: Although there may be no direct benefit to the participant, there are possible benefits to organisations and society as a whole. Leaders, managers, and human resource personnel may learn techniques for identifying, investigating, and managing workplace bullying. Potential benefits to employees would include improved mental, physical and emotional well-being. Raising awareness of workplace bullying could potentially benefit leaders and organisations by increasing employee engagement and productivity.