• Physical and verbal intimidation tactics.

• Slamming things, shouting, use of profanity.

• Bullies may insist that things be done their way, blame, finger point and constantly complain.

Cause of behavior

Bullies are probably not getting personal needs met and may not feel “heard.”

“Bullies typically have something going on, and it’s usually centered around fear and anger,” says Dominguez. “They feel they are not as good, smart or productive as they should be, so they push everybody else around to build themselves up.”

Ways to improve productivity

Bullies need to acknowledge that the behavior is unacceptable. If they refuse to own up to it, nothing a supervisor says or does will make the situation better, according to Dominguez. “It’s like telling a drunk he’s a drunk,” she says. “They’re either willing to take responsibility or not.”

Once employees take responsibility, they can then be coached into a more acceptable set of behaviors. “They learned it and they can unlearn it,” Dominguez says.