Читать книгу Silenced and Sidelined - D Lynn D Arnold - Страница 13

Feeling silenced is not just about getting bullied. Not every silencer fits the profile of what we have come to know as a typical bully. A bully is a person who uses strength or power to harm or intimidate those perceived as weaker. In professional settings, many can find themselves feeling bullied by the silent (cold shoulder) treatment, having their time disrespected, or having their work sabotaged and unacknowledged. This behavior can undoubtedly lead to viral silencing, but there is more to it than just bullying.

The women in this research described their silencers as often unknowing. Sometimes it was intentional and done by people with perceived power. Other times, women felt silenced by group dynamics and systems that were incessantly bold but unconscious. We cannot say to women in leadership who feel silenced, “Hey, just address this like an adult bully and put distance between you and them, stop acting like a victim, and take a stand.” That approach is too simple! When you are in an executive role surrounded by leadership complexity, it is a disservice to provide quick tips and advice that may work in specific examples but not all.