This isn't the happy, feel good kind of post that I was thinking I'd be writing about today, especially for the Thankful Season! But a situation occurred yesterday at a professional designation meeting of leaders and I must deal with it because it is serious and can have short and long term consequences for this organization.
I was bullied, disrespected and demeaned by a particular guy when I first walked in the door and it continued on throughout the meeting. He apparently thinks that kind behavior is acceptable. No it is NOT. There is no chance that I will put up with that kind of behavior nor will I sit by and not do what I can about it. Change must happen. And if there is no change from within this small group of men (no women) then I will go further up the chain. Bullying must be stopped.
I don't really know this guy, at all. I had maybe 3 minutes of small talk with him at a few events I sponsored last year. Why he has it out for me I have no idea. Is he afraid that I'm a take charge kind of woman and know how to make things happens? Perhaps. Is this bulling behavior his way of getting me to quit? Perhaps. Has this happened in the past with other women? Perhaps. I don't really know. But this bullying behavior must be stopped.
I find it extremely hard to believe that anybody higher up on a national level would find his behavior towards me (or anybody else) acceptable. Of course they would not find it acceptable for obvious reasons and it would reflect very badly on the organization and what it stands for. Who would be interested in signing up to be bullied and harassed. Nobody I know.
What I am thankful for is that I have the ability to face this head on and handle it in an appropriate manner and do whatever I can to stop this bullying. I am a strong woman and I'm also very determined to stop this harassment & bullying from happening to other women or men. I am also very thankful to have a support system of fellow professionals that is assisting me work through how to handle this situation to effect change. Nobody deserves to be harassed, disrespected, demeaned or bullied. This must be stopped at all levels.
Kind of shocking, isn't it? It shocked the he** out of me.... and you guys and gals know me well. I am a happy and kind woman that treats people with respect and honor. Things don't shock me often anymore but this one did. I don't waste energy on negative stuff or people. But I must speak up & do what I can to stop this kind of harassing and mean behavior.
Thankful for the Ability to Stop Bullies
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