Group Profiles
Although bullying conflicts are social and contextual and a number of systemic features, issues, and contingencies press parties to move them toward particular ways of dealing with conflicts, research suggests that certain types of employees are more likely to be targeted, to aggress against others, and to remain bystanders.
Targets that are provocative may draw the attention of aggressive others, whether that provocation is simply speaking their mind or tending toward aggression themselves. Bystanders most often remain silent hoping they can avoid involvement but may also side with targets or bullies. Bullies are high verbal aggressives and tend to respond aggressively or harshly in most situations, escalating aggressive behavior when perceived pressures increase. For the most part, most bullies fall into the accidental category; they bully others as a means of goading more productivity from them. Other bullies, however, appear to have personality pathologies driven by fear, insecurity, or extreme ambition. In the case study that follows, a number of these profiles are apparent.A Thrice-Told Tale:
Targets, Bystanders, and Bullies
We offer a case study to illustrate the points made in the following sections about profiles, motivations, and tactics. From the case study, we detail these three factors for parties.
Table 13.2 Conflict Management Tactics
| Conflict Management Tactic | Description |
| Integrating/problem solving Obliging/accommodating Dominating/forcing | Openness, exchanging information, and looking for alternatives Playing down differences, emphasizing similarities for others’ sake Winning is objective, often ignoring needs of other party, forcing one party’s position or opinion |
| Avoiding/withdrawing Compromising Third party | Ignoring, steering clear of conflicts or other parties Parties identify, settle on partially satisfactory solution Bring someone else into conflict, usually with power to resolve conflict or influence others who have power to arbitrate conflict |
SOURCE: Adapted from Ohbuchi and Tedeschi (1997) and Rahim (2002).