In the workplace, we often encounter people who bully the weak and fear the strong. They think their behavior is acceptable and even necessary to survive in the workplace. Whether you're a newcomer or an experienced employee, you'll inevitably have to deal with such colleagues. If you find yourself being bullied, how do you respond? Everyone has different personalities, so the methods of dealing with it may vary.

Some may confront the bully, while others may choose to be tolerant. 

However, there are three actions that are not worth doing, regardless of the approach taken. 

The first action is to report the situation to your boss. It may seem like an effective strategy to seek justice, but in reality, most bosses won't intervene.

They prefer the employees to compete against each other, and will only step in if it affects their own interests. Reporting the bullying may only make you appear weak and incapable in the eyes of both your boss and colleagues. 

The second action is to ask for help from other colleagues. While it may be tempting to seek support from your coworkers, the reality is that workplace relationships are often a mix of cooperation and competition.

Unless the situation directly affects them or they have a personal vendetta against the bully, it's unlikely that others will speak up on your behalf. Some may even use the opportunity to settle their own scores with the bully or gather information to use against you in future competitions. 

The third action is to blame yourself and internalize the bullying.

While self-reflection is a valuable practice, constantly blaming yourself for everything, even when it's not your fault, is harmful. Blaming yourself will only diminish your self-confidence and prevent you from standing up to the bully. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself, it's important to identify the bullying behavior and find the right moment to assert yourself, making it clear to others that you won't be an easy target.

Overall, interpersonal relationships are crucial in the workplace, but we should never sacrifice our dignity or principles to maintain them. Instead of running to a higher authority or relying too heavily on colleagues, it's important to stand up for ourselves with confidence and integrity. By focusing on our own abilities and maintaining a strong presence, we can compete successfully in the workplace.

Understanding and following these workplace rules will help us thrive and succeed.