Most managers are familiar with Weasels.
This is the name that I have given for those underhand and difficult people in the workplace.
Sometimes their behaviour is sneaky and irritating.
The biggest problem is that Weasels operate from behind cover.
Their weapons include, sly comments from behind their hand, cutting remarks, sarcasm, not very subtle digs at you, as the manager.
Their well aimed verbal missiles are designed to hurt but also to make you feel pinned down.
Many people try and cope with Weasels by ignoring the comments that they make.
This has the reverse effect and encourages more Weasel-like behavior rather than acting as a strong deterrent.
To deal with Weasels you have to understand the reason for their behaviour and develop a strategy for countering it.
Normally, Weasel behaviour is the response to an unresolved or ignored problem.
Most Weasels feel that this is the only way of getting their feelings across.
However, it must be recognised that Weasel behaviour hardly ever results in any positive action and the unresolved problem continues and gradually worsens.
This ramps up the stress levels.
Weasels think differently to most other people.
They believe that they know how other people should do their job.
They often have very strong views about what should be done to solve problems which interfere with their own personal goals.
Their approach to life tends to prevent them from seeing things from any perspective but their own.
In turn this leads to totally unrealistic expectations of other people's behaviour.
Typical Weasel behaviour can include belittling people behind their back.
This is to simply make themselves look better in comparison and to exert some control over the situation.
Generally, a Weasel will choose a hidden rather than a frontal attack because this suits their nature as well their skill.
There is often a reluctance to expose Weasels because of an unwillingness to create a scene.
This means that sometimes the Weasel's cover is protected by his or her victims.
1.
Bring them out into the open.
2.
Provide an alternative to open warfare.
3.
Deal with the underlying problems.
Weasels flourish in meetings because they can make their sly, behind their hand comments and not be accountable.
If you are running a meeting the first thing to do with Weasels is to smoke them out.
When you are the target of a Weasel, refuse to be attacked indirectly.
Ask questions like, "That sounded like a dig.
Did you mean it that way?" "What did you mean when you were shaking your head at my suggestion?" If you are addressing a group, and you hear a negative mumble from a Weasel, ask, "Am I right in thinking that you don't like what I am saying?" If you let people get away with this sort of behaviour they will take it as encouragement to continue.
Notice that exposing the attack involved asking questions.
The reason why you ask a question is that it gives the Weasel an alternative to fighting.
Usually, the Weasel will deny an attack was intended.
Because you have successfully stood up to the attack and survived it, will help you in controlling this sort of behavior.
Also, the Weasel is far less likely to try again in the future.
Without a camouflage that works, Weasel behavior is just not viable.
Remember that Weasels will quickly tell what to do.
Their solutions may or may not be sound.
Probe behind the solutions to the specific parts of the problems they are want to fix.
Make absolutely sure that you understand the exact problem as perceived by the Weasel.
Problem solving sessions can prevent a lot of Weasel activity.