Being ‘unreasonable’ is a quality we admire in those that are challenging the status quo. But this is not the same as being unfair to those that you work with.
Some of the behaviours that clients report in our work this year include:
– unpredictable, explosive reactions;
– wanting you to be available immediately at the expense of anything else they are doing;
– no concern for anyone’s agenda or needs other than their own;
– angry responses to being contradicted;
– cruelty, belittling, mocking of others;
– obsession over inconsequential things;
– paranoia, monitoring of your activity.
If you are suffering from one of these leaders, don’t be seduced, get away, refuse to work with them. Some can develop enough insight to change but I am afraid most don’t. They usually find a way of avoiding / sacking / demoting anyone that challenges their self image.
If you are a peer of one of these leaders and hear about this behaviour from those suffering then please don’t tell them to toughen up. It is not enough to tell them to learn how to work with their perpetrator.
As a first response, believe them and protect them.
Khurshed Dehnugara
