Bullying, in its modern guise, is no longer confined to the bruised egos of schoolyards. It has evolved into an insidious force infiltrating workplaces, homes, and civic spaces. This contemporary plague, as Bill Eddy identifies in Our New World of Adult Bullies: How to Spot Them, How to Stop Them, thrives in environments ill-equipped to counter manipulation and psychological coercion. Though new in its terminology, bullying’s essence is as old as human frailty itself.
Thucydides, chronicling the Peloponnesian War, observed that “the strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must.” This stark truth illuminates the fundamental dynamic of bullying: the relentless exploitation of power to dominate and humiliate. Adult bullies craft false narratives, manipulate emotions like shame and loyalty, and play the victim to disarm accountability. These tactics are subtler than physical aggression but no less destructive. Many do not even know they are doing it and would say that they are in fact the victims. This makes dealing with adult bullying even more difficult.
Bullying’s effects extend beyond individual victims, seeping into the collective fabric of organizations and communities. Social media amplifies the issue but human nastiness did not begin with the advent of the internet. This is a topic we discuss often on this editorial page because its effect are so devastating.
Research from the American Psychological Association connects prolonged exposure to bullying with chronic conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In workplaces, the damage is palpable. Bullying raises stress levels, fractures morale, and accelerates employee turnover, creating a culture reminiscent of the “fear and silence” described by psychologist Dr. Karyl McBride. It is not merely individuals who suffer but entire ecosystems of collaboration and trust.
One of the most unsettling truths about adult bullying is that it thrives because its actions are frequently misunderstood or minimized. The manipulation, like Iago’s in Othello, can be subtle and devastating, eroding the confidence of its victims through psychological sleight of hand. Its methods range from leveraging nonverbal intimidation to persistently pursuing dominance, regardless of harm caused or resistance encountered.
Communities and organizations bear a collective responsibility to combat this pervasive problem. Workplace training programs and mental health initiatives must become staples of institutional life, not afterthoughts. Raising awareness about bullying’s tactics and consequences is the first step toward inoculating organizations against its spread. Alliances—built on shared commitment to justice and dignity—are essential in confronting bullies. Indeed, as Edmund Burke famously warned, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
Bullying, left unchecked, corrodes the human spirit. Its victims suffer not only immediate distress but also the long-term erosion of confidence and identity. For those grappling with its effects, resources such as the National Conflict Resolution Center and the High Conflict Institute offer tools for recovery. Addressing adult bullying is not simply a moral imperative; it is a practical necessity. A society that tolerates intimidation in its workplaces, homes, and communities undermines its own potential.
