After October 7, the deadly abuse absolutely could not continue any longer.
There is a time to walk away and a time for necessary action.
(AI generated image via Craiyon)
Showing posts with label Bullying. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bullying. Show all posts
February 10, 2024
Nobody Wanted War
After October 7, the deadly abuse absolutely could not continue any longer.
There is a time to walk away and a time for necessary action.
August 6, 2023
Two Ways to Make Someone Feel Worthless
(Credit Photo: RDNE Stock project via https://www.pexels.com/photo/scared-man-on-the-wooden-floor-6003316/)
April 23, 2022
Jude in America
What was shocking was that despite the professional environment, this was a climate where they actually felt “safe” expressing their Antisemitism and hate. In this case, these high-level, powerful, “educated” people working in the heart of our nation’s capital should know better, much better than to harass someone because she is a Jew, an Israeli, a woman or all three.It is unfortunate that there still are individuals that hate out there: that lash out questioning our faith, our people, and our intentions. Good people see the common humanity and good in others, and bad people are infatuated with imaginary intolerable differences, especially of minorities, and enjoy scapegoating them, goading others to join their hate, and even violently preying on them.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 11, 2021
Where Have All The Heroes Gone?
When we had heroes in the real world there were also superheroes on television, movies, video games, toys, and more.
But alas leadership in our times has seriously fallen short.
Who is there to really look up to as a model for us to respect and follow?
It seems like everywhere these days we are confronted by:
- Failing leadership
- Poor decision-making
- Party politics
- Obstructionism
- Finger-pointing
- Fraud, waste, and abuse
- Bullying and sexual harassment
- Bribery and kleptocracy
- Big time narcissism
There are few if any heroes these days!
It's sad for us as well as for our children.
I hope we see Batman and Superman and other superheroes again: strong in the physical sense but primarily a symbol for strength of character/integrity and for the fight of good over evil in this world.
The void is painful for our times and is going to impact our near term future as well. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 7, 2020
Stop Child Abuse!
It's an important message.
Take Action. Stop Child Abuse.
Children are innocent!
The adults who commit the abuse and trafficking are animals.
If you see something, say something to the authorities.
You may just be saving a child's life.
Protect our children...they are our future. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
June 28, 2020
Too Much Violence
Physical violence.
Verbal violence.
Emotional violence.
When there aren't body sores.
There are emotional and mental ones.
So much suffering.
The silent masses.
Their doors close.
But behind them.
And outside.
In the chaos of the streets and on the subways.
You can see it in the eyes.
And hear it in their voices.
Maybe they are black and blue.
The people are troubled.
The world is insane.
The children are especially innocent.
The weak at the hands of the strong.
Anarchy reigns where G-dliness is absent.
Why? Why? Why?
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
June 1, 2019
Harassholes Y'all
It says:
Stop Harassholes Y'all
Not bad.
Harassment plus as*holes = Harassholes.
Thank G-d, there are some very good people and managers out there.
But unfortunately not everyone is, and so there are also some real stinkin' abusers too.
These types of people should never be in power, since they misuse it!
They do not use the power they have been entrusted with to advance progress, and do good for the organization and its people, but rather they clumsily wield power for their own selfish, personal pleasures and vendettas--bullying and harassing others--and simply because they can.
Belittling others, making them feel stupid and worthless, and then going after them for whatever they want.
Through intimidation, they keep others from talking...shhh! hush!
Emotional, verbal, and even physical abuse can be common.
I remember one colleague telling me how their boss would literally throw things at them in their office while they had to sit there "taking it."
Another has a boss that makes them do the stupidest, most trivial tasks--completely worthless stuff--just to prove a point...that they're in charge.
Marginalization, threats, bullying, abuse, harassment...it goes on and it shouldn't!
In some cases, the harassholes are even protected from someone above.
Money, power, honor...more, more, more!
But G-d sees these people too and eventually cuts the bad ones down to size.
My father used to say:
G-d does not let any tree grow into the heavens!
Eventually, I am pretty sure that harassholes end up getting some very BIG hemorrhoids or something from above that teaches them to use G-d's gifts for the good, and to properly love, care, and empathize for other human beings--G-d's children!
I never knew why hemorrhoids existed in this world, but there is a purpose to everything under the heavens. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 26, 2018
Tired Of All The Whining About China
- They are stealing our intellectual property.
- They are hacking into our systems.
- They are unfairly forcing us to transfer technology to them.
- They aren't opening up their market to us.
OMG stop the complaining already!
If you don't like what they are doing, then do something about it.
Tariffs are a start, but just a small one.
Seriously, if you can't incentivize them to stop the harassment and unfair trade practices by adding them to the World Trade Organization, investing in them, and partnering with them, then you need to actually compete with China.
- They steal our sh*t--you help yourself to a generous serving of theirs.
- They break into our systems--you find your way into their systems.
- They try to unfairly take away our markets and jobs--you take away theirs big time.
Everyone knows that to deal with bully, you must fight back!
The more we are scared into inaction, the worse it gets.
This doesn't mean that we should get into a military exchange with China, but we do need to get into a confrontation over what economic and global partnership should mean and look like.
China is an old and truly great nation and their people should be highly respected.
However, the USA should also be treated right, and if that means it's time for a heart to heart and some evening up of the playing field then that is what has to happen.
We have to restore respect to America, not by becoming bullies ourselves, but by standing up to them when we are being taken advantage of. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 19, 2018
Boiling A Frog
A colleague yesterday told me this great simile:
It's like when you put a frog in a pot of water and turn up the heat, the frog doesn't know what's happening until it's too late, and he ends up being boiled alive!
With better knowledge of the context, of course, you can have the foresight to act, to fight, to get out, whatever.
Similarly with the frog, if you throw him into an already boiling pot of water, he immediately jumps out, and viola he's saved.
It's really important to have good situational and political awareness.
Not everyone out there is so innocent--even when they have a good act and pretend, "Who me?"
Many of them know how to work the system, so that the system works for them.
G-d forbid, when you're in the way, they'll often turn up the heat.
And if you don't realize what going on, you'll be the frog that's a not so tasty dinner. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 27, 2018
The Good Eggs
What is the most important is being around good, decent people.
I've always heard that your relationships are most important.
But it's not just relationships, it's also who you are relating to.
There are good eggs, and there are not such good eggs.
Don't get fooled by what's on the eggshell--that is certainly no yolk.
Most of eggs know who and what they are.
Some eggs like to scramble the others.
Some eggs like to poach on the others.
Some eggs like to crack the others' shells.
But then there are other eggs that like it over easy with the other eggs.
They all want to get the meal cooked and have it tasty and nutritious, but some eggs just don't know how to treat others eggs with decency, respect, and integrity.
It's best to be around those eggcelent eggs, and that is where the best happens and the good eggs gravitate to.
Be careful what eggs you associate with, because there is nothing that smells worse than a rotten egg. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 19, 2018
When People Fear You, You're Not A Leader
"Leadership is action, not position."
And actions demonstrate a good or evil heart.
When everyone hates a leader is that a "leader?"
- Fear is not leadership.
- Bullying is not leadership.
- Corruption is not leadership.
Leadership is:
- Showing others what is right and being a good influence.
- Rolling up your sleeves and doing the hard work alongside everyone else.
- Helping others to achieve their potential.
- When others see you as a leader based on your integrity of purpose and actions.
How we treat others is as true a test of leadership as of where we want to go and how we want to get there.
G-d sees everything man (leader or not) does, and only He in Heaven is the Leader of Leaders and the King of Kings. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
January 17, 2018
Nothing Personal
It's when they harshly criticize, pick on, or even bully their hard working and good people.
What do they say when they do it:
"It's nothing personal."
Ha, that's sort of funny, but really it's sad.
I asked an executive colleague about this and this is what they profoundly said:
"It's my favorite line when the boss says it's nothing personal. Of course it's personal. Is there anyone else in the room!"
When people misuse/abuse their power to hurt others whether at work or even in other situations like with small children or anyone else in a subordinate position:
- That's not business.
- That's not professional.
- That's not being a good human being.
People are not punching bags because someone else is having a bad day.
We need to rise above the occasion and be better than that.
It's better to be humane, compassionate, and emotionally intelligent.
And not just because someday, we are all in that position where someone bigger is facing off against us.
But rather we need to behave kindly to others, because they too are G-d's children and our brothers and sisters, and it is the absolutely the right way to behave--whether it's business or personal. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 3, 2017
Crumbs Are For The Birds, Not The Workers
The rich and powerful capitalist employers hold all the cards.
Like this poster says:
"Which Shall It Be?The capitalist owners enjoy being able to give "trickle-down economics" to the average working man.
Duke: 'If you demand your rights, no more crumbs from my table.'
Working Man: 'Give me my rights and keep your crumbs.'"
Basically, it's just crumbs from the rich man's table.
And if you don't like it, and you want rights, protections, and more...tough luck, and no more crumbs for you!
But the little guy who breaks his back to earn his daily bread, wants his dignity and respect more than the crumbs from the "capitalist pig" taking advantage of him.
Trickle-down is bullshit!
Crumbs aren't going to raise the standard of living for the working class.
We need living wages, social and income equality, and workers rights and protections to keep the little guy from being bulldozed by the rich and powerful.
Certainly, there are many rich and powerful people that are good and generous, but not everyone is that that way.
And we can't have mistreatment of people by those wielding a whip over them.
Yes, workers need to perform and conduct themselves professionally--that is their job.
But workers shouldn't be taken advantage of with poor wages, little to no benefits, and miserable working conditions (including bullying, harassment, and hostile work environments).
Remember that in life tables can get turned and the rich and powerful can become the poor and the weak.
Therefore, pay and treat your workers as you would want to be paid and treated.
No one is so big as to be untouchable by G-d.
Money and power will not save anyone from illness, accidents, disasters, and misfortune.
The only thing that does save people is good deeds, kind words, compassion, faith, and prayer.
Crumbs are for the birds, dignity and respect are for the people!
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 16, 2017
The Folly of Bullies
So there is an issue with people not treating other people with respect and dignity in life and at work.
Today again, the Wall Street Journal reported that "Companies Wake Up To The Problem of Bullies at Work."
This is leading some organizations to issue "Codes of Civility" for people to act like mensches and treat each other nicely.
Adults are just so like children--with work bullies not all that different from schoolyard bullies.
Why do people need to elevate themselves on the backs of others?
Isn't it better to join hands and work together as brothers for the betterment of all.
Bullying anyone at work or at home doesn't benefit anyone, including the bully!
I read today in Psalms 37: 35-36:
"I have seen the wicked in great power and spreading himself like a green tree. Yet he passed away, and behold, he was not; I sought him, but he could not be found.
[But] Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright for the end of that man is peace."How can people forget that the true "big boss" is G-d Almighty in Heaven.
And He judges us for a good or not so good end.
We are all just flesh and blood and we all answer to the One That Was, Is, and Will Always Be!
Isn't it obvious that we're here to learn to act with lovingkindness to one another.
All are imperfect, but treating each other well is how we get closer to G-dly perfection. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 15, 2017
Management Is A Privilege
- Management is not a right or entitlement.
- Management is a wonderful privilege!
The privilege comes with responsibility and is earned by knowing how to manage and treat your people right.
That means:
- Acting with integrity
- Treating people fairly, with dignity, and respect
- Showing you value them
- Helping to develop them
- And of course, achieving results together!
I heard it said well like this:
"If you don't treat people well
you won't be a manager for long."Again, it's a privilege, not a right, to manage and lead others.
Those who abuse their privilege and people--it's like the cycle of life. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 25, 2017
Ever Feel Like You're Target Practice
The knives get sharpened and readied.
At some point, they come flying out of nowhere.
Often, from all directions at the same time.
When it rains, it pours.
Some people latch on to the opportunity to try and make a kill.
You do your best to duck this way and that and survive the onslaught.
Hopefully, you were adequately prepared.
The big question is--can you hold unto your cheese?
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 21, 2017
Killer Organizational Sharks
And it's not just in the oceans.
There are plenty in your organizations.
They make for lots of dysfunction and conflict.
The organizational sharks see themselves as the bigger and more important fish in the sea.
They look for weakness in others---they smell blood and when they do, they usually follow it to the kill!
These sharks are the types of people that attack their colleagues when they should be assisting them.
Not only do they lack respect for others, but instead see them as the enemy and eat them as prey, when instead, they need to be chewing up the outside competition.
It's an attitude of us versus them misplaced within the organization, rather than external-facing.
These organizational sharks could be in leadership positions, in which case, their attitudes filter down infecting the rest of their staffs.
Instead of unity, cohesion, and working together to get the mission and job down, the sharks are selfishly worrying about and working to build their own power base.
It's a dysfunctional culture that allows these sharks to exist and swarm in their organizational waters.
Sharks for some reason fail to see that their boats are hitched to everyone else in the organization, and that all the organizational boats rise together or fill with polluted water and sink to the bottom.
As leaders, we need to focus and agree on supporting each other to achieve the success of all.
Even sharks should learn to be nice and play together with all the other fish in the organizational sea. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 20, 2017
I Got The Call
But not the one that I always wanted, which is to serve at the very highest echelons of government or/and industry for those values and things which I so hold dear.
No, instead I got the call that my professor in college warned me about.
He said:
"You will get a call one day from someone asking for a lot of cash--no questions asked! At that time, you will know who you're real friends are."
So I actually got this call (for real) and in the middle of my work day.
This person who contacts me is considered quite affluent and with an extensive network, and I know him/her for only a relatively short time.
Person:
"You know you're like family to me Andy...I need $2,000--in cash--by 7 pm. I'll pay you back $500 on Friday and the rest by Monday."
Me (Stunned):
"What--is this a joke or something?"
Person:
{Repeats again the request}
Me:
"OMG. What's wrong--is everyone okay? Are you in any trouble?"
Person:
"Uh, everyone's fine...don't ask me any questions--there's no time for this now."
Me {Reaching for some humor in this bizarre situation}:
"Oh, only $2,000--I thought maybe you needed $2 million--that's no problem, of course."
Person:
"Please don't make jokes now Andy--this isn't funny!"
Me {Trying once again to get some more--any--information}:
"Can you just explain to me what's going on--I really want to understand, so I can help you."
Person:
"Do you have the cash or not?"
Me:
"To be frank no. I don't keep any cash around. {Inquiring to learn more...} Could you take a check or something else?"
Person:
"No. Listen, can you go to the ATM now?"
Me {frustrated by the abruptness, lack of sensical communication, and pushiness, as well as more than a little suspicious at how this is all going down}:
"Well the ATMs have a cash limit. Also, I would really need to check with my {lovely} wife first,"
Person {seeing they weren't getting what they wanted when they wanted it}:
"Okay, well if you can't help, I'll just call someone else--thanks {hanging up on me}!"
WOW!
Despite having trusted this person and feeling very hurt by all this, I still called the person back later that evening to follow up and because I truly cared, and they were still not any more forthcoming with me, and in fact, were quite attacking that they were sorry to have called me.
But I wasn't sorry...my college professor was right on, thank G-d--I do know who my friends are!
Whether its a lunch date, LinkedIn/Facebook contact, or social invitation, be discerning about the motives of people--outside of any sane and normal context--that are seeking to "friend" you. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
July 15, 2017
Another Nothing Burger
This happens when they make vague accusations--incriminating people or groups--but without substantiating what they are saying.
It's a way of bullying, discriminating, and hating on others.
Creating doubt about your victim--keep saying those derogatory, demeaning, and hateful stories--it tarnishes the other person's image, reputation, and credibility.
Creating an endless aura of fallibility on the other person's part.
Here, we go...they screwed up again!
It's death by a thousand cuts of insults, pot shots, and sucker punches.
It's a definite form of verbal and emotional abuse and violence.
Sometimes, there may be something to it--in which case the party that screwed up should take responsibility, correct their mistakes, and commit to sincerely doing better in the future.
But often, there is nothing there!
And the false accusations are merely a way to cover up (management) incompetency or bias by the accusers themselves.
It's a great way to dominate the conversation, but really the people making the stink are simply acting out--and not too flattering as the whiners and complainers.
They point fingers at others, but there are three fingers pointing back at themselves!
Why?
Because it's another nothing burger meant to deceive, discredit, and retard and take the focus off their own meatless patties!
Where's the beef?
The liars and deceivers and propagandists are using you for their own means.
Another nothing burger in the oven and it ain't kosher! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 28, 2017
Who's In Your Corner?
It's not what you know, but who you know!
Relationships, connections, and networks are critical for all of us to work together and get things done.
And sure, it's good to have some reliable people in your corner who know you and can speak good about who you are, what you represent, and what you're doing.
However, let's face it, there are some people out there that take advantage and don't just have advocates, but rather protectors, and it's a way for those who may be unqualified, unsavory, and incompetent--as individual--to sustain themselves.
Frankly, some of these people should never be in their jobs and should never be a leader over anything or anybody--but they are enabled, because of who and not what they know or are able to do.
Whether it's the Peter Principle or bullies and those without a working moral compass or sometimes it seems even a conscience, it can be very scary at times for what suffices as leadership in many organizations.
Yes, of course, Thank G-d for the many good, well-meaning, and hardworking folks that make getting up in the morning as well as going into the office, worthwhile.
But for those that hide behind the skirts of others, so that they can get away with things that they should never ever be getting away with...well those are not fruitful relationships being maintained, but rather caustic ones that radiate concentric circles of toxicity to organizations, people, and mission.
People know it when they see it--because it stinks from the stench of bad apples, bullying, disengagement, lack of accountability and ultimately failure.
We desperately need each person to perform and to band together as an A-Team.
However, sink or swim--as individuals, each person in their own based on their conscience and contribution without a phony mask of a protectorate accomplice. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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