Raise awareness
Offer an alternative
Keep in perspective
Bullying can be intended or unintended. At least two people are involved. The person who bullies and the person being bullied. Both can change their approach to help improve the situation.
Raise awareness
Often the bully is not made to face up to the fact that they are acting in a bullying way. They may or may not be fully aware of the impact of their approach. They usually need to be confronted by it in a way that makes them pause and reconsider their actions. This often needs a selection of phrases and approaches to adapt to each situation. Stating what you feel, believe or observe makes a firmer statement than criticism alone, which is also harder to refute
“I feel intimidated by what you have said”, “I believe we have not considered all the alternatives”, “I don’t believe we have asked everyone what they think”, “I think others will need time to consider what you propose” “I feel what you said seemed personal and is not related to the main point” “I feel that was unecessary and not relevant to the topic in hand”
Offer alternative
By giving alternatives that are practical opens up an avenue to reduce the impact of the bullying. Can we discuss this further at this time and place
Keep in perspective
Mentally stand back and look at this situation in the wider context of a year or the world to minimise the impact of the situation. The person in front of you is no better than any other and equally mortal.