There were two words I left with a former workmate today that I hope will resonate with him, and with you. The two words are “stand up!” We were talking about standing up for ourselves in the workplace. He shared with me of his unhappiness on the job. That he’d been categorized and labeled as non-cooperative and “difficult.” He’s been taken out of his regular work which he is good at and has been reassigned to menial tasks, at least for his skill set. So what do you do when you are being bullied, punished or find yourself being edged out?

The answer to that question is “stand up!” How long do you put up with a foul taste in your mouth? How long will you stand next to something that smells rotten? Not very long I suspect, yet when it comes to relationships and careers most of us tend to put up with a lot of bull for a very long time. Why is that?

Some people are very caring and helpful they are often “the bridge” for others. There are those who see those same people as weak and they treat them as doormats. I could hardly believe my ears when someone I met said “I think that it’s a good day when my boss doesn’t yell at me.” Excuse me? Did I hear you right?

Whether it is outdoors on the school-grounds at recess or inside of business in corporate North America we are going to find targets and bullies. The roles have transcended through time into adulthood. The games have become sophisticated and more subtle, though underneath it all very little has changed. Do you know anyone who is in a tough spot at work? Is this you? And who by the way is the person who can step up to change all this? You are, only you can make the change by standing up for yourself.

“People-people” are often the ones who can’t say no and place themselves in harms way. They like to be in-service though they are sometimes seen as sub-servient and that’s when the sharks start to circle. In the personal development workshops I’m familiar when they have a game they play called “stand up.” It’s a game of teaching others how you wish to be treated. It’s a very powerful game because it exposes how you do life outside of the room.

The person who is taking the guff is the only one who can make the changes. The changes happen from within. These changes are long term only when they are at a belief level not just at a behaviour level. When you believe you deserve better, really believe that’s when you’ll “stand up.”

Where is your deserve-o-meter set at? Have you been the bridge or the doormat? When you do “stand up”, remember that the bully is as scared as you were. The bully just has a different way of coping. Go ahead and stand up, you’ll be amazed at the new you! So until next week, remember: “in only two days, tomorrow will be yesterday, lean into it!” As I offer insights, stories, tips and career information, please contact me to share your stories opinions and comments to Don Campbell.