\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. be careful not to reply to a condescending person with more condescension. The overcorrecting employee corrects even the most trivial things. When coaching those accused of this behavior, we find that they frequently do not understand what we mean by those terms. MANAGER: Which of the two assessments would you prefer, if you could repeat them? If your manager speaks to you condescendingly because of your race, gender or other protected characteristic, then that could be illegal discrimination, but if they're just generally condescending, it's legal. Here are some examples of condescending statements: "Well, I know YOU think that, but in reality" "Wait, so you REALLY thought that [insert think you actually did think here]" Examples of condescending behavior: Much like the remarks listed above, the behaviors below show up often when people are interacting with one another in person. Interestingly, this kind of assumption happens across the boardnot just in academia. The employee who cuts you or their co-workers off. If you win a game, you can say, "You win some, you lose some" instead of gloating. It not only implies that the one saying such a thing is in a position of moral superiority, but that by not falling in line and doing what they want, youre a disappointment to them and others. Many of us have received a critical email from a condescending boss that lists all the things you did wrong, and then ends with, "but I actually thought this thought was great." Leadership behavior. Want to Be Happy About Returning to Work? MANAGER: Do you think it was necessary to correct him in the middle of his talk? Taking yourself out of the situation allows you as the manager to evaluate the employees' intentions: Mental distance provides you with the clarity to respond appropriately and effectively to every situation. The fast-talking 'Suits' attorney has a lot to say about what it takes to succeed in business and life. ManageBetter, with its library of 3,000 feedback phrases, might be a resource you want to check out. Here are some examples of their behavioral patterns. Condescension can be a feature of the Mr. The Florida student-athlete who killed herself in November 2021 after receiving volleys of abuse from her track coach told police about his behavior a month before her death. Lets have this conversation at another time. It is a frustrating experience that can happen in any number of ways, but most often at work or home with friends and family. Focus on understanding the point that they are making, and take a few minutes to digest the information. Once they are no longer the center of attention, you can say, discreetly, "Do you say debut "dee-butt?' They may occur within families, at school or work, between peers, or even with strangers. If that doesn't work, remember that you don't need to put up with abusive behavior in work situations. Last Updated: December 16, 2022 Here, we point out some behaviors people say that typically don't land well and foster negativity. This response allows you to take control of the situation, it also allows you to redirect the condescending nature of the employee. Unprofessional behavior can include a variety of behaviors, most of which are considered improper in a professional setting. In most cases, the common minority group responses to prejudice include avoidance, deviance, defiance, and acceptance. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. 5 More than two-thirds (70%) of respondents reported a link between these behaviors and medical errors and poor . Selective deafness is always an option. Are you inadvertently making it hard for employees to be productive? They aren't very empathetic. The goal is to keep undermining the others, and if they complain about this behavior, theyll be seen as petulant instead of fun coworkers who accept these pet names good naturedly. When You Assume You Know Everything There's absolutely nothing. "I actually like that idea" When you say this, it can land like a patronizing backhanded compliment. They believe they are perfect One common problem with condescending people is that they think they are perfect and hold everyone to this benchmark. Create a culture of accountability. He holds an MA in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, and Peacebuilding from California State University Dominguez Hills. Although its tempting to give the offender a piece of your mind, remaining calm is the best response. "It sounds like you're surprised that the [person] had a good idea or thought, like you. Others are likely to find this behavior condescending and a bit pathetic. 1. People have a patronizing attitude and exhibit condescending behavior for different reasons, but usually, it boils down to insecurity and/or arrogance. Go ahead Jack. If you offer a solution to a problem in a meeting, and someone says, "Hey, that's actually a pretty good idea," it sounds as if they're surprised by your intelligent contribution, and they generally expect little of you. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Deal-with-a-Condescending-Boss-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Deal-with-a-Condescending-Boss-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Deal-with-a-Condescending-Boss-Step-1.jpg\/aid12653730-v4-728px-Deal-with-a-Condescending-Boss-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"