Whether you’re still in school, have a part-time job, or have transitioned into full-time adulthood, there will always be office bullies or a person that I like to call “Mean Jean.” We have all encountered a Jean, who has a glass half empty perspective in life that slowly begins to suck the energy from the rest of us.
In school, we are never taught how to deal with these bullies other than the common phrases we used to yell out on the playgrounds such as:
“I’m rubber you’re glue, whatever you say bounces off of me and sticks to you!”
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”
“I know you are, but what am I?”
According to the anatomy of the human body, our tongues are covered by two orifices, our lips, and our teeth. From a philosophical point of view, it is said the reason our tongues are hidden is because they are the most dangerous weapon a person possesses.
Especially now that we live in a world where cyberbullying has become an issue, it is now easier for “Mean Jean” to say whatever he or she wants. I received a great piece of advice as I was watching the Disney movie Ralph Breaks the Internet when one of the lines in the movie was:
“Never read the comments.”
This is becoming an ongoing issue, and especially as mental health becomes a larger part of our society, it’s important to know how to deal with these people.
Here are a few tips I’ve learned through experience to overcome “Mean Jean”:
- Always sit (or stand) tall.
- Ask others for help.
- Don’t argue with them.
- Don’t threaten them.
- Don’t be scared.
- Go with what your heart tells you.
- Have a plan.
- Long game > short game.
- Over time you will win.
- Problems = solutions.
- Stick to the facts.
- Stay cool, calm, and collected at all times.
- Turn negatives into positives.
Happy Slacking,
Joshua Krafchick, AKA “CHACHI”
