Workplace bullies by nature are very insecure people. Their mission is not to be “discovered” as they delude themselves into a false sense of power as they secretly plot to subjugate their target. Superstar employees are frequently the target of harassment at work.

The insecurity of workplace bullies is far-reaching. They feel inadequate socially, behaviorally, and morally. Although they present a public image of superiority, supremacy and bravado, deep down they feel deeply inadequate. Workplace bullies, rather than confront their inferiorities, choose to lash out at anyone who threatens their superiority.

When competent, bright, and confident people enter the domain of workplace bullies, their strategy is to attack rather than avoid. This gives them a sense of power and control, convincing them that, despite their profound shortcomings, they still rule.

Bullies at work use a wide variety of covert methods to sabotage the competent employee. They spread rumours, misrepresent the achievement of the target, and often take credit for the target’s work. They gossip about the individual. All of these niceties are used to prop up their shaky self-image.

Workplace harassers will often limit the work of their employees. How? Piling unreasonable amounts of work on a goal, budget constraints, constant criticism, and anything else to undermine the goal’s success and sense of competence. Being in control by exerting power is an addiction for workplace bullies.

They will be unreasonable in their demands, so they may witness someone else’s failure, giving them a sinister high from witnessing the failure of someone who is more competent.

Bullies in the workplace take on the role of overlord as they demand that the target produce something out of nothing. Bullies in the workplace enjoy seeing the target ‘sweat under the load’. They cloak their own sense of nothingness with their repetitive, intoxicating dose of power.

Constantly criticizing competent employees, workplace bullies don’t feel so alone in their disturbing self-criticism. By undermining the competent employee, workplace bullies convince themselves that they can still subjugate another, despite their brutal self-perception.

Some targets of workplace bullying are smart enough to see through the “bullying game” and find ways to outwit their nemesis. Eventually, however, they are likely to seek out greener pastures and refuse to put up with the aggravation.

Others, however, who do not recognize the game or choose not to compete with the bully, are not so lucky. They will try harder and harder to please, but to no avail. Eventually, the bully will wear them down and they will begin to suffer severe psychological damage.

Competent employees who become victims of workplace harassment are usually ethical, fair, just, and honorable people. Naively, many of them also expect the same from others. Sadly, they become fodder for hungry workplace bullies hoping to satisfy their compulsion for control.

Bullies in the workplace need to be ‘checked’ by exposing their Machiavellian tactics and seeing them for what they are. Employers and policymakers cannot afford to continue to ignore this workplace epidemic. They must act now to protect their best and brightest from unnecessary and deliberate ruin.

If you’re a superstar and feel like you’re becoming a target of workplace harassment, know that you have every right to continue to be the superstar in everything you do. You are more than the low self-image of the workplace bully; you are a super star.