There are a number of broad descriptives for basic simple behavior.  I am thinking of things like; angry, sulky, petulant, opinionated, obstenante, vain and so on.

Becoming Frustrated

For me the most frustrating behavior type is passive-aggressive.   Regardless of whether its a personal or organizational context this is the most destructive and difficult behavior to deal with.

Well it can be challenging there are a number of options to defuse, redirect and otherwise collaberate with others to turn less pleasant behaviors around.

For example if someone is behaving angrily remain calm, don’t get hooked.  Often this approach can defuse a potentially difficult scenario.

I could build on this example with many other behavior types, including other ways to defuse anger but my focus on this post is a bit of a rant about the passive-aggressive.

For passive-aggresive I find it much harder to deal with effectively, ending in a positive result for all.

What is Passive-Agressive Behavior

First you agree with a request, plan, direction;then you work actively and agressively to undermine and foil the objective.  In essence the approach makes it seem like you are supportive when in fact you are anything but.

Of course this is a great way to avoid work or undermine a cause while appearing helpful.  With this approach there is no need to directly defend or to argue a point.  Rather it seems like you are onside and it is only after you have put a monkey wrench in the works that the truth comes out.

Most Surprising

Usually passive-aggressive approaches are shut down after the third or forth try.  The requestor becomes aware of this underlying behavior and guards against it. On the first occurrence you might be tricked, but like the old proverb “trick me once shame on you, trick me twice shame on me” applies.

I am never ceased to be amazed at the number of organizations I have been involved with where one or two individuals  continually practice passive-aggressive behavior without consequence.

B