Is Your Boss Rude?

Rudeness, Indifference, Bullying.
In the recent years where sexual offense has taken the front seat of in-company questionable behavior, these actions have blossomed in it's shadow. 20 percent say their company or boss doesn't care how people treat each other. A whopping 60+ percent in India say so. Complaints aren't taken seriously, and we've often heard that those who speak up pay the price. Some people say, no matter how strict the policies are, or how fancier the steps taken to curb those actions be, these people will continue committing such deeds. So how would one need to do to counteract these behaviors?

For Organizations:-

• Make civility a priority and set guidelines.

People are busy, but how long does it take to smile, say "hi," or refrain from a zinger? A healthcare organization in the US has an interesting policy. The 10/5 Way. It says that if you're within ten feet of someone, you must make eye contact. Within five feet you say hello. Such companies surely report greater patient satisfaction and an increase in patient referrals.

• Provide training.

It just might help. Behavioral training sometimes is the best solution for such cases, say people are constantly quitting an organization because of the rudeness of the boss.

Individuals can:

• Walk away.

Ideally, people will speak up and management will respond, but I know that speaking up isn't always realistic. In those cases, the best response is a measured one. If a boss/manager keeps shouting at you on an issue, you can tell him, "Sir, let's talk in a civil way on this issue." If it's a peer, you can also walk away till he is cooled and ready to talk again. Leaving the conversation until civility is restored is often the only solution.

• Learn from it.

When somebody's being rude it's tempting to give back the same or take it out on somebody else. But it might be a learning opportunity. Rudeness hurts both the giver and the recipient. That's why it's better to act as calm and possible.