How can you use empathy to prevent workplace bullying?

One of the ways I keep perspective is by assuming that the other person has positive intent. I'm not a fan of assumptions typically, especially ones where you do not check in on your assumptions, but if I am going to make one, assuming the positive intent leads me down a good open direction.

It's hard to have empathy for the bully (and I've experienced bullying in the workplace firsthand), but it can be helpful to listen to the person(s) engaging in the behavior, too. Depending on their background / life experience, they may not see the behavior as bad. This isn't to excuse them or their behavior, but understanding their intent can help determine the best way to address it. In many cases, the bully needs some kind of help — whether they recognize it or not. Often, they have been or are on the receiving end of bullying or abuse themselves, and they're paying it forward — it's all they know. It also could be a symptom of unchecked privilege and ignorance, and communicating assertively and respectfully could enlighten them.

What I've found most helpful dealing with unkind things said in the workplace is to address the bully directly through calling in vs calling out behavior. When we call out, sometimes it's shamed based and cloaked in a negative connotation - when we call in, we invite understanding and offer a better dialogue that can lead to longer and more systemic change. Depending on the situation, consider calling-in!

Respect always works best when we apply it judiciously with a bit of what I call “tact”. What makes sense to one does not ring a bell to another, so you have to deal with this issue of bullying at workplace based on the context of the persons involved. This is because bullying comes in various forms and stems from “incivility”. Addressing health, safety and wellbeing at workplace must definitely be planned to curb bullying at workplace through empathetic communication.

Communicating assertively is not easy. We all need to make an effort because it does not come naturally - Think of a kid. When they try to address an uncomfortable situation most of them use a very aggressive way of communicating or, on the contrary, a very passive one. The problem here is that aggressive communication may hurt others, and being passive won't allow us to express what we need. As adults, we can (and we should) incorporate new ways of communication, like assertiveness. Hence the effort mentioned earlier: assertive communication needs to be learned and practiced. Try this next time: 1) describe the facts 2) express how they make you feel 3) Ask for what you need 4) share the limit you'll apply if the need is not met

Bullying from a fellow colleague or supervisor consistently results in diminished self-esteem, a lack of motivation, and ultimately, resignation. Typically perpetrated by someone in a position of power with their own insecurities, there seems to be no justification for extending empathy to the aggressor. Empathy should be directed from those in positions of greater authority, or victims can choose to confront the aggressor directly, expressing their thoughts unequivocally.

As vezes a empresa faz várias campanhas sobre o tema, mas no momento que surge alguma denúncia não sabem realmente lidar com a solução e a vítima acaba sendo punida. A empatia é bonita na PRÁTICA e não somente no discurso e isso vai desde a operação, diretoria e ao time que faz a tratativa.

Company induction is important to share what workplace values and the behaviours that support them. Instil a call it out culture - if you experience behaviours from leaders or team members and let people know the channels to seek support.

The article is bloated. Doesn't addressing, or not able to understand the issue. Empathy is merely a word here. Bullying is the effect of power imbalance inside an organisation. A person enjoying in wielding power over others does it. That mindset needed to be addressed by someone else in power, or the victim has to rise into power, which is very unlikely to happen. The culture of particular societies matters. Being empathetic is not easy, needed additional trainings. Empathy should be taught in schools. But our modern education system embedded on competitive nature cannot bring it into work place. We are taught to compete and compare with each other, we promoted hierarchy, and now we are complaining about lack of Empathy in our work place

Workplace bullying closely aligns with evolutionary psychology or evolutionary biology. Within an organization, dynamics shaped by culture, more than a buzzword, dictate daily operations. Within an organization, various dynamics unfold, and these can be shaped through its culture. Importantly, culture here is not merely an ideology or a buzzword; it represents a modus operandi that is evident in daily interactions and practices. Bullies flourish in environments lacking repercussions for their actions. In sales, for instance, a high-earning 'superstar' salesman might bully colleagues, deemed less competent. Despite generating revenue, such behavior, if unchecked, can gradually erode the organization's fabric and future.