7 ways bullies use name calling to gain control.

Name calling is never ok and it’s a sign of low emotional intelligence.? Not to mention, anyone that calls someone a “name” is a bully and not very bright.

People who lack the ability to engage in substantive arguments, use name calling as a tool to silence their adversaries.

The psychology is simple.? I call you a name which creates a cognitive bias that promotes propaganda consistent with a negative opinion.

People in power, leaders, activists that use this technique are attempting to manipulate public opinion with the intention of gaining control. It's that simple.

In politics, business and personal relationships, name calling is a form of abuse and people that use name calling are operating with low emotional intelligence.

We can try to justify “labels” by suggesting our ambitions are legitimate.? Regardless, the outcome is the same.? Name calling puts people on the defensive and forces them to defend false accusations or engage in confrontation.? Never a good strategy for people that genuinely desire to lead with integrity.

Great leaders and people with self-awareness never use "name calling".? They understand the danger of divisive rhetoric and challenge themselves to argue with eloquence and lead with character.

We must demand more of our leaders and require certain rules of communication that can never be broken.

Name calling and hurling insults only pushes people apart. Great leaders understand the implications of dangerous rhetoric and avoid it like the plague.

So how do we recognize people who lack emotional intelligence and use name calling as a weapon?

Here are 7 ways bullies use name calling to gain control:

Negative bias

People that use name calling assume the worst about everyone.? They have poor self-esteem, and many are narcissists that have a superior opinion of themselves.? This is common with “academic elites” that measure success predicated on scholastic achievement.? When we assume we are better than someone based on what we THINK we know, we project our impatience and prejudice.? Name callers have a deep negative bias that assumes certain people are horrible based on preconceived ideas.

Presumptuous

Everyone has an opinion; it doesn’t mean its accurate.? That’s the problem with ideas dreamed up in academia.? Theories are like business plans.? They are ideas that haven’t been proven and until they are, it’s merely speculation that often agitates, validates, and divides.? Great leaders don’t have the luxury of being presumptuous and they can’t assume they have all the answers.? Most businesses fail because people lack the ability to finesse through tumultuous challenges.? We can’t bring people together based on ideas rooted in division.? Forcing people to adopt our beliefs creates dissention, regardless of how

“right” we believe we are.????

Deficient

People with poor emotional intelligence neglect the little things.? They forget people’s names and make no effort to develop rapport with people.? They are in a hurry to shove their opinion down our throat and have poor regard for alternative viewpoints.? Calling people names is much easier than doing the hard work of creating strong connections in the spirit of mutual benefit.

Me

People with poor emotional intelligence have a shift response that guides the conversation toward themselves.? They think they have all the answers and seek validation for their opinions. Anyone who has the audacity to disagree is castigated in the spirit of public humiliation.? Sound familiar.? Me monsters aren’t interested in creating harmony, cohesiveness, and cooperation.? They believe in autocratic rule.? Their way or the highway.?

Talk

Name callers and ego maniacs are focused on what they have to say.? They aren’t interested in listening to understand.? That takes too much effort.? Its all about them.? Their ideas.? Their agenda.? Their beliefs.? They will ram their opinions down our throat and make it obvious they aren’t interested in a compassionate style of leadership.? Name callers never hear what’s being said, they are too busy talking.

Preoccupied

People with poor emotional intelligence aren’t interested in genuine connection.? They always have an agenda, and their time is more important than yours.? When we fail to press our leaders with tough questions, we are allowing them to gain momentum with ideas that could be destructive.? Healthy organizations value everyone’s opinion, and great leaders stay involved in difficult conversations without being easily distracted.? When we are preoccupied with our “beliefs”, we don’t seek the truth only consensus.???

Benign

Underneath all the bravado, arrogance and conceit is a little person with poor self-esteem.? They crave the spotlight.? They crave attention and they crave control.? People with poor emotional intelligence believe they are smarter than everyone and operate with high levels of narcistic tendencies.? Many people in politics fit the profile perfectly.? When you peel back the layers of arrogance, you find a shallow person mired in mediocrity.? They often have the loudest voice, but the lack of substance is obvious.??? ??

Sum it up.

Any other signs you’re dealing with a person who has low emotional intelligence?? Any other suggestions for staying positive and avoiding the temptation to complain?? Share your thoughts in the comments section and please like and share this article. I love learning from you as well.

About Steve:

Steve Wohlenhaus is CEO of Weatherology, the leading company in the world at disseminating audio weather information.?? Steve began his career as a major market television weather anchor in Minneapolis, where he received several Emmy Awards for science programming.? Steve is an author and host of the podcast program Anatomy of Success.? Reach out and connect with me on LinkedIn.? Learn more about my work and grab the free Weatherology mobile app by clicking any picture in this article!