wo r k p l ac e h e a lt h & sa f e t y
Maureen Kyne
Maureen Kyne and Associates
E
mployers need to be concerned about
the increase in psychological claims,
averaging $250,000 as reported in the
2012 Comcare report.
If these statistics reflect your workplace,
are your leaders contributing to bullying in
your workplace and, if so, what are you doing
about it?
The line between a leader and a bully can
be a fine one. In fact, powerful leaders and
bullies share many of the same qualities,
which tend to be:
• Assertiveness
• Confidence
• Competitiveness
• Determination
• Charisma
• Independence
• Manipulation
Deciding if your leader is a bully or not is
not all that hard. Leaders and bullies have
a lot in common, as shown in the seven
characteristics above, but they do differ
in two very important ways; respect and
compassion.
Are your leaders
contributing to
bullying?
Here is a snapshot to ascertain quickly whether your leaders are bullies or not.
A Leader
A Bully
Listens and observes. Don’t just see and
hear, they really listen and observe.
Is attuned to their surroundings.
Self-centred.
Can’t understand the needs and feelings of
others.
Leads by example.
‘Walks the talk’; does what they say, when
they say it.
Dominates and intimidates others: “It’s my
way or the highway. I am the boss.”
Shows interpersonal skills and empathy for
others.
Provides encouragement.
Lacks empathy for others.
Ridicules and demoralises others.
Communicates at all levels eliminating
barriers and resolves problems.
Surrounds themselves only with people who
agree with them.
Believes in the abilities of their people and
trusts them to do well.
Has low expectations of everybody and low
levels of trust.
Shares information and ownership and
demonstrates transparency.
Withholds information and uses it as a
weapon for own empowerment.
Is assertive when necessary, steps into
manager role responsibilities.
Is aggressive and uses power plays creating
fear and crushing confidence.
Emotionally mature (Higher EI).
Emotionally immature (Lower EI).
Leaders care about others. Bullies don’t.
I hear you say that you would expect all of
your workers to have these two traits and I
would agree with you.
Have you communicated this to your leaders
and workforce? Where is it written? Do
you have a Mission, Vision and Values, and
how are they communicated? These are the
basis for communicating the culture for your
organisation.
For more information, contact Maureen Kyne:
18 Australian Window Association
t. 1300 136 146 m. 0437 022 246 e. [email protected] w. www.maureenkyne.com.au