Everyone has bullying tendencies when they feel threatened or have unmet needs that are difficult to resolve. The five-factor personality traits model comprises five categories: openness to experience, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. The five-factor personality traits may foster great leaders and compassionate community helpers when balanced with other social checks and norms.
However, the five-factor model's extremes in personality expression may give rise to antisocial personality disorders that often describe and explain bully-type behaviors. Some bullies remain in this personality phase across their lifespans. However, an unhappy bully is a person who does feel regret and remorse and is morally engaged. In contrast, a sociopath or psychopath shows a disregard for others and fails to feel remorse and guilt. The good news is that if you are a bully and feel remorse or guilt over your interactions with others or desire to change to a more balanced combination of the five-factor personality traits, you are probably a bully who can change. Sometimes change is easy with reflection and positive mentors, but bullies may also need to seek professionals in the mental health field to help manage their feelings and unmet needs.
Dr. Debra Stewart
Finding
the Good in the Workplace Bully
