I hate bullies. When I look at the businessmen (and women) that I know, most of the successful ones are bullies.
They are aggressive, controlling, disrespectful and arrogant. Polite when needed, they press a mark on everyone around them. “I don’t care, just do it.”

Control of the situation is in their blood, and comes first, always. Even if they lose, they lose in a controlled way.
Never ending demands off people surrounding them gets things done. Nagging, regulating the tasks, procedures, processes and constant monitoring of subordinates work. O, yes, they know very well that a soft-mannered employees can be conditioned to the routines of the way boss is doing the business.

A bully knows very well how to approach people. He/she plays on their weaknesses. If you want something badly, you know how to get it. “How’s your family doing? Is your [daughter] enjoying her school? How’s your weekend?…” they would often say passing you in the hall or at the coffee maker. How naive you would be thinking it was sincere.
It’s all part of the picture: their picture of you doing everything their way.

What’s wrong with that? You would say. “Everything” – is my answer. It’s not a leadership, it’s not a good governance, I hope someone one day has a courage to say in your face: “you are a bully and I refuse to work this way”.
Pushing technicians to the extreme and screaming at other company’s customer service will get you far in your endeavors. You may be even noticed as “dynamic leader” or “real achiever” when standing high enough on these bodies of little people who accepted or forgiven your behavior and have done everything you ever wanted.

“Bullies are usually good at “reading” people and “pushing their buttons.” They use techniques like leaving things to the last minute to block escape routes, and dangle carrots that won’t be delivered, and often use “weasel words” (words like “virtually,” “almost,” and “possibly”) as out clauses. They rely on a network of higher authorities—lawyers, accountants, politicians, and the like—but will avoid putting anything in writing.”

Someone who has pointed out a bully will have to leave that environment and make it on his/her own. Hopefully he will not become a bully as a boss in his new operation.

Next generation will not remember a successful businessman’s daily performance. They will only see his success.
“These […] tyrants didn’t need to read Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun—heck, they wrote it.” Says short “Allbusiness.com” article on Famous Bully Bosses.

Why we do what we do? – you may find a surprising answer here. Neat and funny. Educational, too.

Believe it or not, bullies cost you real money, even if the only bully around is … yourself. Disruption of business, lost productivity, and health are paid over and over again. So, if you encounter bully in your small business – let him/her go. Read about dealing with your temper in the Freestyle Entrepreneur.

We want to hear about bullies in your business, and how they affected your bottom line, financially and in terms of employees’ health and motivation. Do you know any technique that is transferable from one small business to another?
If you do, please do us all a big favor and share it.

I hate bullies.

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