Yelling, punishment, and threats may cause short-term changes, but never results in long-lasting change.
I've thought about bullying as threats about tariffs and immigrants swirled in the news. I believe many people in my generation considered bullying to be a "normal" part of life.
Bullying existed in schools, schoolyards, the military, boardrooms, and in relationships where those in power repeatedly and intentionally use words and actions to cause distress or to make people feel helpless. (Webster). Bullying HAS life-altering, negative, sometimes fatal, effects. Thus, in 1999, Georgia enacted the first anti-bullying legislation and all states followed.
I've also thought about a subset of bullying, scapegoat management, where an individual or group is targeted as a means of managing others or to deflect the blame from those in power. You likely remember teachers who sent a targeted student to the principal's office or out in the hall quieting the whole class! Lifelong anger and resentment is all that happened.
If you want to change behaviors, provide positive rewards to people (and businesses) for doing what you want them to do. Reward them for growing businesses, working hard, paying taxes, raising families, and respecting the rules of society.
I usually steer clear of politics when teaching, but the news is ripe with examples of what not to do! I'll offer an online course!
