Chapter 6
Why Bullies Bully
Bullies are always cowards at heart and may be credited with a pretty safe instinct in scenting their prey.
—Anna Julia Cooper
We think it's safe to assume that your purchase of this book shows your interest in stopping workplace bullying. Along with that interest must come some curiosity. You wouldn't be human if you didn't wonder why bullies act as they do. But be warned, if you spend too much time ruminating about the bully's motivation, you can get stuck on a pet theory or two and never actually take any steps to stop the bullying. Are you in the business of theory building or leading a world-class organization?
We offer this chapter to help you understand the variety of sources of bullying. First, we cover some fun explanations. Then, we offer our three-part model about why bullying occurs in your workplace, and we lead you to actionable steps to stop it. By the end of this chapter, you will know enough about the “why” to move on to the “what to do.”
