A True Story - How To Manage A Bully

[Cinnabar]

I was two weeks new to a large architectural firm in NYC. I fit in well except every time I passed this fellow, Bob, in the hallway he'd sneer at me for no apparent reason. We had never spoken.

It was a prestigious firm and when an account was snagged it was customary to gather in the main conference room and celebrate with champagne.

In time, I'd learned that this Bob was a Project Manager, who was well known for mistreating his staff.

On one particular day, we all filed into the conference room to celebrate yet another account catched. The room was packed with employee's. Suddenly, Bob, who'd had had his share of champagne, was quite trashed. Bob,wobbly, got up from his conference chair, raised his glass to me and slurred "And to you Laurie...." He had hurled some of incomprehensible insult my way. Nevermind that he was making no sense, the room went quiet and everyone turned to me... "the new girl on the block". I was terrified! But before my heart had a chance to skip a beat, I raised my glass to him and said..."And to you Bob! Who manages to walk all over his staff, all the while, with both feet in his mouth.. Everyone in the room lost it, including the president, and I made instant friends.

The next morning Bob cornered me in one of the darker hallways (he was a big guy). With chest puffed up he barked..."Don't you EVER hit me below the belt like that, again. Do you hear me?!!" to which I replied "Should you ever get the inclination to humiliate me in public again, I suggest you wear your belt considerably higher."

For the next three years, he neither spoke nor approached me.

Bob was evetually fired and went on to start his own company. God Bless his staff.

This story is dedicated to all those who've ever been targeted by a bully

PS And advice to "The Bully". Wisen up! Never rank on anyone, especially, those you don't know!