When bullies want to take escape blame they turn to the classic “Ds” of bullydom: deflection, deception, deceit and denial. Donald Trump’s Chief of Staff Reince Priebus was using more deflection than a Federation starship under attack when he recently spoke to George Stephanopoulos and threatened the head of the Office of Government Ethics. He warned that Director Walter Shaub should “be careful” and suggested he should be investigated for supporting Hillary Clinton during the election.
Trying to switch attention and blame to another party is a classic bullying tactic and a hallmark of the Trump team. The truth is that they need to grow up, wake up and come clean. We still haven’t seen Trump’s taxes and until they start fulfilling the minimum requirements of office, they have given us no reason to believe anything they say.
Bullying in the workplace and creating psychologically health, safe and fair workplaces is the focus of Andrew Faas’ new book From Bully to Bull’s-Eye: Move Your Organization Out of the Line of Fire.
Credit: . M. Scott Mahaskey/POLITICO