Do you know people who are frequently sarcastic? Do they tease others cruelly or put them down, either directly or behind their back? If so, do they then use the phrase “just kidding” to appear to lessen the blow?

Perhaps they respond to conflict by shutting others out and giving them the “silent treatment,” rather than addressing issues head on. Or maybe they pretend to accept responsibility for tasks, only to come up with excuses for not doing them later.

You may not immediately recognize these actions as aggressive – angry people typically use harsh words or lash out physically. However, they are examples of passive-aggressive behavior.

In this article, we’ll define passive aggression, explain why people might act in this way, describe the effect it can have in the workplace, and suggest strategies for managing it.

https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/passive-aggressive-people.htm?utm_source=nl&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=03Jan17#np

Chances are you’ve shared an office with people whose lives seem to be a series of dramas that are never their fault. As soon as they sit down, you wait for them to tell their latest tale of woe. And they rarely disappoint!

Does that sound familiar? If so, you could be working with someone with a “victim mentality.”

At first you listen with concern, and then you get a bit bored of all their self-pity. You then get annoyed as their constant blaming of others for their failings at work and in life starts to affect team morale and productivity.

In this article, we explore what is meant by a victim mentality, and we look at how you can deal with this potentially damaging trait.

https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/managing-victim-mentality.htm?utm_source=nl&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=03Jan17#np