How to Handle the Wicked Witch

I have been in the workforce for nearly 20 years, and one thing I have learned is the workforce is a lot like the Wizard of Oz. There are people like Glenda the Good Witch, working to guide you safely down the path to your dreams. And, there are people like Dorothy’s other three friends Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion and Tin Man giving you knowledge, courage and heart on your way to success. However, for every friend there is a foe. There is a Wicked Witch of the West and her band of minions waiting to gang up on you, steal your ideas, blame you and erode your self-esteem. And then, there is the Wicked Witch of the East, always looking to keep you down in order to help herself up.

If you are lucky you only meet Dorothy’s friends on your journey to success. Unfortunately, I have met them both. However, those terrible experiences have given me the tools and the experience to protect myself and persevere down the yellow brick road.

• Have you met a Wicked Witch?
• At times, the workplace takes a thick skin. Tempers flair, disagreements occur and stress can turn anyone into a temporary Wicked Witch. These interactions are interactions that need to be ignored and chalked up to a bad day. Like in high school and the Wizard of Oz, the Wicked Witch may make everyone’s life hell or bring others in to help with their shenanigans, but they usually pick one person in which to focus their attention. So, if you find yourself singled out to hostility, threatening, abusive, humiliating, intimidating, and sabotaging behavior then you have met a Wicked Witch.  
• Stand up for yourself
• Stay strong and don’t let the Wicked Witch erode your self esteem. Stick up for yourself and calmly let her know that her behavior is unacceptable, unappreciated and will not be tolerated. Don’t get into a fight, but stand up for yourself.   
• Ask for help
• If your attempts to try to calmly put an end to the behavior are not working speak to your supervisor. If your supervisor allows the behavior to continue then go to human resources.
• Move forward 
• If all of your efforts melted the Wicked Witch then be ready to work on repairing your working relationship with your teammate formerly known as the Wicked Witch and move forward. However, if all of your efforts do not quell the Wicked Witch then maybe it is time to leave and find a new job. Dealing with these type of temperaments, interactions and environments – let’s call it what it is, BULLYING - can harm your health and mental health. So, take care of yourself and bring your experience and knowledge to an organization that can and will provide you with the safe environment you deserve.    

Luckily, in the movie, the wicked witches get what they deserve. But in real life, the wicked witches are resilient and the water and the house don’t kill them. However, you can move from I’ll get you my pretty to we’re all in this together.

Have you ever been bullied in the workplace? If so, how did you handle the situation?