Mean girls club in offices & businesses?!
Let's face it; we've all seen someone from the Mean Girls Club. It can be tempting to stand back and watch these people fight their battles, but you're not helping them or yourself if you do this. Letting them get away with their behaviour allows them to continue misbehaving in the workplace. This will make your work environment difficult for everyone involved. Instead, call out their behaviour when you see it. Speak up and tell them that their actions are inappropriate and that you expect better from them. Doing this will help keep the workplace respectful and healthy.
The phrase "mean girls" is often used to describe teenage girls who are catty, manipulative and backbiting when together.
The term was popularized by the 2004 movie Mean Girls starring Lindsay Lohan.
While most people are familiar with this definition of mean girls, many don't realize that a similar phenomenon is happening in workplaces worldwide- and it's not limited to just teenage females! It can happen among men who are bullies in diverse professions and, most importantly, regardless of gender identity.
Mean girls in business can be found everywhere: they're often young women who have been promoted into leadership positions without any formal training on how to lead other people effectively; they may have had bad experiences being led poorly themselves; they might have personality traits like narcissism or jealousy that make them feel threatened by others' success; or perhaps they lack empathy for others' feelings. Whatever the reason behind their behaviour, these women use various tactics--such as gossiping about those who work under them (or above them), spreading rumours about colleagues' personal lives without regard for whether or not those rumours are true, making snide comments about co-workers' appearances during meetings etc.--to undermine other employees' confidence so much so that some quit their jobs rather than put up with such treatment any longer.*
Everyone knows at least one person who belongs to the Mean girl club.
You may be thinking that this is just a workplace problem. But it's not. Mean girls are everywhere. They can be found in school, college, university, and family. Often they are women, and it can be any gender identity too!
I know what you're thinking: "I've never been a mean girl." Well, maybe not on purpose - but have you ever gossiped about someone behind their back? Or said something nasty about them when their back was turned? Perhaps I even told one of those "jokes" about someone being fat/ugly/stupid? If so, you've been part of the problem too!
There is no doubt that human nature has its share of nasty bits, but if we're honest with ourselves, we have seen some of these qualities among women and men in our working lives.
There's no question that meanness can help achieve success. It can help you get ahead by making others feel inferior or bad about themselves. But there are also times when you must be excellent, not just because it's the right thing to do! Being friendly will make people want to work with you, so they'll pitch in when needed and go out of their way for your success.
While this behaviour can be attributed to younger age groups, some people get stuck in their old habits or use them to cope with situations they don't like.
They may feel that they are not being heard and dislike it. They might be frustrated by their lack of success; jealous of others' success; unhappy with their own life, or dissatisfied with their body shape or size. These feelings can make someone feel mean and better about themselves - even briefly. This is often referred to as 'trolling,' and it can be difficult for people to recognize when they are doing it. It's essential to be aware of these feelings and find healthier ways of processing them, such as talking to a friend or a professional. By engaging in this kind of destructive behaviour, it can be easy to forget that trolling is never a solution. It can have lasting damaging effects. Expressing negative emotions in positive and constructive ways is much more beneficial.
This behaviour can spread like wildfire and harm those involved and the company's reputation.
Mean girls can be a drain on resources and morale. They can also cause people to leave the company, which is bad for business. Mean girls are toxic to a workplace and can have a lasting negative impact on coworkers. Addressing this behaviour quickly and effectively is essential to maintain a healthy and productive working environment. Management should set an example of acceptable behaviour and provide employees with the necessary resources to manage conflicts. Additionally, management should reinforce an open and honest communication policy and take swift action against bullying or harassment.
When you see someone being mean to another person, you need to speak up about it. If someone is being bullied at work or there's tension between two employees in your office, it might be time for you to step in and help resolve their conflict.
The problem lies with whether these leaders want to step up and take responsibility for their actions or not.
The first step is admitting that there is a problem, which they usually do not want to do because it makes them look bad. They would rather blame someone else or make excuses than take responsibility for what has happened.
The next thing you need to do is learn to stand up for yourself and say no when necessary; this may be difficult if someone has been bullying others around them, but it's essential if we want to change in society today! If someone doesn't like something done, then don't do it! Even if they are above you on the ladder at work - remember: "You're only as good as your last success."
If you know someone who is a mean girl, you mustn't engage with them at work or allow them to interfere with your work life.
In the workplace, we are often faced with people who are mean and nasty. These "mean girls" can range from backstabbers to gossipers and bullies.
If you know someone who is a mean girl, you mustn't engage with them at work or allow them to interfere with your work life. Don't let their behaviour get under your skin, and don't be a victim of their behaviour; instead, stand up for yourself and don't let them take away from your success! We all must stick together as professionals to ensure these types of women don't get away with it!
If you are a leader and aware of this, then you must take action to change this narrative.
Be aware of the signs. If someone is being mean, ask yourself why? Is it because they feel insecure about themselves or their role in the company? Or is it because others have bullied them in the past and now want revenge on everyone who shows them kindness?
· Take responsibility for your actions as a manager or leader. Allowing mean girls to flourish in your business will ultimately affect the morale of those around them (and even yourself).
· Don't allow this behaviour to spread like wildfire - set boundaries early so that everyone knows where they stand with each other before any damage has been done!
· It's time to stop the mean girl club in business. We must work together as women and men to change this narrative. If you are aware of someone who is being mean or bullied at work, then please speak up!
