Bullies or Engaged Employees?

[Bonnie Mattick]

How many of you witness conflict and stress at work? Do you know the cause?
In a recent article co-authored with Dr. Jean McFarland, (www.BulliesAmongUs.Blogspot.com) she describes a workplace situation she encountered where bullying behavior affected attitudes and productivity. The article titled “Bullies OR Employee Engagement and Improved Performance: Your Choice.” was published in the Performance Express (August 2008) for the International Society of Performance Improvement. To read the entire article, go to http://www.performancexpress.org/

The conflict that Jean and other employees at that workplace experienced affected their ability to communicate. The conflict affected employee engagement and productivity. As I noted an earlier blog, (www.YourBusinessDetective.com), keeping happy employees, keeping them engaged in their work, lowers the stress in the company and benefits the bottom line!
Getting employees more engaged!
Bonnie Mattick
www.bonniemattick.com

[Bonnie Mattick]

Kathy,
You bring up some good points, but I do not have experience addressing the issues with the bullies, as does my co-author and business associate, Dr. Jean McFarland. Check out her blog www.BulliesAmongUs.Blogspot.com. Jean has done extensive research, speaks and writes on this topic. I asked Jean to join this Employee Engagement forum so she can share her knowledge. You may contact Jean at [e-mail] and get her opinion.

I am doing work relating to workplace behaviors and the use of behavior profile tools to identify and address problem areas. I don't feel it's about "teaching them about their misbehaviors" and agree with what you noted, but I do feel that when people understand their strengths and their weaknesses, they are better prepared to respond to others and many situations.

Thanks for sharing your ideas,
Bonnie