Dealing with Passive Aggressive Behaviors

Mitchell Friedman, EdD, APR, presenter

September 27, 2018

• Signs and examples;

• Its not-so-subtle language and mannerisms;

• Why people display such tendencies; and

• Strategies for managing behaviors in workplace

“Passive-aggressiveness. . . is a tendency to engage in indirect

expression of hostility through acts such as subtle insults,

sullen behavior, stubbornness, or a deliberate failure to

accomplish required tasks.”

”5 Signs That You’re Dealing with a Passive-Aggressive Person,” Psychology Today, November 13, 2016. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-superhuman-mind/201611/5-signs-youre-dealing-passive-aggressive-person

To elaborate, I’ll offer a personal portal into the topic

Starting with my personal story

of passive-aggressiveness

• I’m angry

• I know what’s best!

Any passive-aggressive confessions you want to share?

There are upsides to passive-aggressiveness

Such people can be very funny!

Also, it could be a way to cope with difficult circumstances

Any other

Yet the other side is much worse

Here’s what it looks like (1)

Here’s what it looks like (2)

Here’s what it looks like (3)

Here’s what it looks like (4)

Here’s what it looks like (5)

Here’s what it looks like (6)

Any others?

How do you feel when facing passive-aggressive behaviors at work?

Try to understand feelings underlying why people behave this way

• Undervalued

• Unappreciated

• Not respected

• Underpaid

• Unfulfilled

• Unhappy

Any other reasons?

Strategy for dealing with passive-aggressiveness (1)

Strategy for dealing with passive-aggressiveness (2)

Strategy for dealing with passive-aggressiveness (3)

Strategy for dealing with passive-aggressiveness (4)

Strategy for dealing with passive-aggressiveness (5)

Any others?

We have the ability to choose how to constructively deal with

passive-aggressive behavior in the workplace.

Additional resources

11 Telltale Signs You’re Being Passive Aggressive—Without Even Realizing It.” Available here: https://www.rd.com/health/wellness/passive-aggressive-behavior/.

”The Secret to Dealing with Passive-Aggressive People.” Available here: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/26/stop-being-passive-aggressive-behavior-signs-_n_5515877.html