Etiquette Friday – Aggressive & Bullying Behaviours
By Angela Marshall, 1st Mar 2013
I continue my quest from 2012, when each Friday you join me in my campaign to change “Casual Friday” to “Etiquette Friday” and to encourage people and companies to get involved. Hopefully my messages have reminded you to make some small changes, and that people will be more considerate to others and more aware of their manners. The goal in turn will create a more pleasant and positive society.
Aggressive & Bullying Behaviour
Bullying and aggressive behaviour can happen at any time and anywhere from school to when you are in work or even in your personal life. From childhood we start to learn social skills and being aggressive or a bully is not an acceptable behaviour. It is intimidating for the receiver and can cause a person to lose their confidence.
Workplace
Aggressive bosses can bully their staff. This shows a lack of good management and professionalism, which can be caused by stress and lack of confidence. Ideally HR or senior management should find out the cause and give appropriate training to the people concerned. Personal conflicts are inevitable, whether in business or in our personal lives, but it is important to be assertive not aggressive when discussing or debating such issues. Certain personalities enjoy point scoring and often regard it as fun.
Prime Minister’s Questions
Houses of Parliament
Watching Prime Minister’s Question time often comes across as point scoring rather than a time for serious Prime Minister’s scrutiny. Question time in the Houses of Parliament is supposed to be an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to question government ministers. Too often we see ministers heckled, jeered and yelled at, with personal attacks and humiliation in a thoroughly unbecoming manner. This is not professional and doesn’t set a good example for the public, who should be able to look up to our government.
Remember to treat others as you wish to be treated and allow for people’s characters that may be different and they may be more easily offended than yourself. In business, always ensure you stay professional and try to be assertive when necessary and avoid being aggressive to prove a point.
