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Interpersonal Communication- A Mindful Approach to Relationships, 2020a

Interpersonal Communication- A Mindful Approach to Relationships, 2020a

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tends <strong>to</strong> be highly uncivil in the workplace with a particular emphasis on sexually harassing behavior.<br />

This coworker is very similar <strong>to</strong> the intrusive harasser boss discussed earlier. This individual is generally<br />

viewed as incompetent and unprofessional in the workplace. This person tends <strong>to</strong> score high on all of the<br />

problematic work behaviors commonly seen by coworkers.<br />

<strong>Mindful</strong>ness Activity<br />

There are a <strong>to</strong>n of books on the market designed for business people <strong>to</strong> help<br />

them get along with their coworkers. Like it or not, but we all are going <strong>to</strong><br />

work with people that drive us crazy. So, what’s a mindful way <strong>to</strong> approach<br />

these situations when you have <strong>to</strong> interact with a coworker is far from being<br />

mindful. As usual, our first steps should always be attention, intention, and<br />

attitude. However, we can only control our perspectives about others and not<br />

their behaviors.<br />

Think of a time when you had <strong>to</strong> interact with a coworker who was not<br />

behaving mindfully.<br />

1. How was their behavior problematic? How did you feel challenged by this person?<br />

2. What was the outcome of this person’s behavior on your mindfulness practice, your relationship,<br />

or your work?<br />

3. If others were involved, how did they respond?<br />

4. What role (if any) did you play in triggering this person’s behavior?<br />

5. What will take away from this experience? How can you approach this person more mindfully in<br />

the future?<br />

Research Spotlight<br />

In their 2017, Stacy Tye-Williams and Kathleen J. Krone examine the advice given<br />

<strong>to</strong> victims of workplace bullying. Going in<strong>to</strong> this study, the researchers realized that<br />

a lot of the advice given <strong>to</strong> victims makes it their personal responsibility <strong>to</strong> end the<br />

bullying, “You should just stand up <strong>to</strong> the bully” or “You’re being <strong>to</strong>o emotional<br />

this.”<br />

The researchers interviewed 48 people who had been the victims of workplace<br />

bullying (the average age was 28). The participants had worked on average for 5<br />

½ years in the organization where they were bullied. Here are the <strong>to</strong>p ten most<br />

common pieces of advice victims received:<br />

1. Quit/get out<br />

2. Ignore it/blow it off/do not let it affect you<br />

3. Fight/stand up<br />

4. Stay calm<br />

5. Report the bullying<br />

6. Be quiet/keep mouth shut<br />

7. Be rational<br />

8. Journal<br />

Research<br />

487<br />

<strong>Interpersonal</strong> <strong>Communication</strong>

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