Is it aggression or bullying? Does it matter?
The differences, the overlap, and the nuances
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A reader wrote,
I’m helping two co-workers sort out a problem between them. One accused the other of being a bully. There’s language about bullying in the employee handbook so I have to act on the concerns. I do see that the accused person can be a bit of a bulldozer when she’s negotiating for something her department needs, but I think it’s unfair to label her a bully. How would you suggest I explain the difference to them?
Let’s start by examining the continuum of three relationship orientations. While we may have a natural or cultivated preference for one orientation or another, situational factors can prompt us to use any one of the three.