In this HELP! SITUATION SPOTLIGHT™ series we shine the light on challenges that community members have shared with me. In this episode, which is Part 1 of a 2 part episode (with a final third part follow-up show), our show title is, “How do I respond to direct, brutal, verbal insults and intimidation at work?”

In this multi-part episode we explore the Mental Self-Defense Arts™ and learn what to do when we are emotionally and psychologically attacked at work. The self-defense skills that we employ in these situations are analogous to those in a physical attack. We are going to do everything that we can to be on heightened alert and remain awareness of surroundings and situations to thwart or prevent a potential attack. Remember that predatory attackers are always looking for potential victims and they select their targets based on proximity, opportunity and also their assessment of the likelihood of success. Once that prevention process has been breached, then we will move toward the actual skills we need to survive. We have to use our senses, reaction time and  power (verbally, physically, etc.) to teach other psychological predators that we will not be their prey.

I gave a speech several years ago and an angry lady in the audience told me at the end of the event (as everyone was leaving) that I “was ugly” and that my “face was distracting.” Nice. Was that direct? Yes. Was it verbal? Yes. Would some characterize it as “brutal”, “insulting” and/ or “intimidating”? Yes. 

What happened next? What did I learn from that experience?

Let's address this issue!