Credit: Paramount Pictures
We’ve all experienced the badgering behavior of bullies. Forrest Gump had to put up with the boys who threw rocks at him. Bullies are overbearing creatures who try to impose their will in an intimidating manner.
This got me thinking about two shifts that are occurring in our world.
The first shift is a result of the internet. The internet provides us with easy access to infinite amounts of information. And it has given rise to the advent of permission-based marketing.
The marketer who tries to bully his way into your inbox with spam is not longer an acceptable member of society. He is blocked and sent to your junk folder.
The salesman who tries to bully you into buying by hammering you with offer after offer, while failing to provide valuable content, is unlikely to earn your business. We’re too smart to fall for his tired and heavy-handed sales pitches.
The second shift is occurring in the workplace. More independent contractors and entrepreneurs are replacing the long-term employment that previous generations considered normal.
The employer who tries to bully the employee into doing work for him will lose a skilled employee. The skilled employee’s time is too valuable to be wasted working for bullies. A skilled person will sell his services to another as either an employee or independent contractor.
Likewise, the employee, independent contractor, or entrepreneur who tries to bully his employer or clients will also be fired. There are too many skilled people in our world ready and capable to fill the needs of business. Business doesn’t have to put up with bullies.
Of course, you must have strong and marketable skills for this new equilibrium to prevail.
Bullies in sales and the workplace were able to survive when the cards weren’t evenly divided. Someone would win, and someone would lose. Win-Lose!
It seems to me the cards in 2011 are more evenly divided. Both sides have to win. Win-Win!
Bullies will always be around. Some people don’t know any different. But the shift in the world has made it harder for bullies to survive.
If you’re a bully, you might consider changing your tactics.
If you know a bully, just run away from them … because life is too short.
Next Blog Title: Is it Easier to Follow Evil Then to Stand Up for what is Right?
Next Blog Date: May 23, 2011