Dealing with a bully?

Axtman · #1 12-07-2009, 03:08 PM

My coworker is taking a week off and I am substituting for him. His client is a notorious bully

and I am a little concerned about how I will deal with the client. I am pretty conflict adverse, but the older I get the less crap I take.

Does anybody have any advice on how to deal with a bully in a professional manner?

Luckily I will only have to deal with him for a week until my coworker gets back.

Thanks

capnsandwich · #2 12-07-2009, 03:16 PM

Just be confident and don't let him walk all over you. Most bullies are all talk and feed off of insecurities of their prey. If you show him insecurity then he's got something on you. If you stay confident and sure about who you are and your ability to do your job then he'll more than likely back off.

It's just for a week so I'd steer clear of him and only talk or work with him when you have to. If it gets too out of hand then get someone in there that's above him and let them know what he's doing. The key is to be secure in who you are as a man and work with confidence. Bullies hate confidence, mostly because they have none.

Jared Lash · #3 12-07-2009, 03:19 PM

I'm sorry but that's just not enough info to go on. What type of business? How is he a "bully"? What would happen if you were to do something that ended up with your co-worker losing him as a "client"?

There's the way we teach children to deal with bullies and then there's a whole range of conduct that we as adults can choose from based on circumstances.

bongomania · #4 12-07-2009, 03:30 PM

Agreed with Jared, but my first advice is to be a stone cold by-the-book getting-the-job-done bureaucrat. Offer only the statements that an ATM would offer. Accept only the statements that an "if you're calling about billing questions, say 'billing' or press 3" automated router will accept.

If you show that you are all business to the point of not even responding to anything outside strict business communication, then he will seek his funsies elsewhere.

kserg · #5 12-07-2009, 03:32 PM

Mute button.

Phalex · #6 12-07-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Agreed with Jared, but my first advice is to be a stone cold by-the-book getting-the-job-done bureaucrat. Offer only the statements that an ATM would offer. Accept only the statements that an "if you're calling about billing questions, say 'billing' or press 3" automated router will accept.

If you show that you are all business to the point of not even responding to anything outside strict business communication, then he will seek his funsies elsewhere.

This. And return as many phone calls during his lunch as you can.

stratovani · #7 12-07-2009, 05:45 PM

Tell him that if he doesn't stop being an immature bully then he can take his business and shove it up his a$$. Tell him also that you're too old to take any of his crap, and that this isn't high school anymore, it's the real world. That's what I'd tell him, I might be on the unemployment line as a result, but at least I'd still have my dignity.

guitar ed · #8 12-07-2009, 06:29 PM

At the first instance of his being a bully, I would go to YOUR boss and let YOUR boss know that you don't appreciate being bullied & insulted by this customer. Ask YOUR boss to call this client, or HIS boss, and have YOUR boss put a stop to it. This is what bosses are for, to make these kinds of decisions.

For that matter, ask your boss to to take on the bully client him/her self.

And if anything sexual is said, YOUR boss can call HIS boss and get HIM fired for sexual harassment.

While you don't have to put up with that kind of behavior, it is not for you to put an end to it, and potentially lose a customer.

That's my $0.02 worth.

edg

makanudo · #9 12-07-2009, 07:12 PM

Be assertive..
if he crosses the line just let him know you wont take it. If it continues stand up GTFO and go to your boss and talk about it

DigMe · #10 12-07-2009, 10:27 PM

Kick him in the nuts right off so he knows you're serious.

bc

MakiSupaStar · #11 12-08-2009, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DigMe

Kick him in the nuts right off so he knows you're serious.

bc

You see, this is much more dignified a response than what I would have done. Still, the message is the same, with much less mess and stink.

Number27 · #12 12-08-2009, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stratovani

Tell him that if he doesn't stop being an immature bully then he can take his business and shove it up his a$$. Tell him also that you're too old to take any of his crap, and that this isn't high school anymore, it's the real world. That's what I'd tell him, I might be on the unemployment line as a result, but at least I'd still have my dignity.

that's a good thing too because i hear they're now taking dignity stamps at all the local supermarkets around here.

oh wait.. no they're not.