Original article from HR Daily Australia: https://www.hrdaily.com.au/news/upward-bullying-more-than-an-interpersonal-risk-13298
Insights by Maureen Kyne | Upward Bullying Expert | Speaker | Author | Confidant
Upward Bullying: More Than an Interpersonal Risk
For too long, workplace bullying has been framed as a top-down issue, a failure of leadership, behaviour, or culture flowing from the top.
But what happens when the pressure comes from below?
In a recent feature published by HR Daily Australia, I explore a growing and often misunderstood workplace dynamic: upward bullying. This is not simply a breakdown in communication or a clash of personalities. It is a pattern of behaviour that can systematically undermine leadership authority, destabilise teams, and expose organisations to significant psychosocial and governance risk.
What makes upward bullying particularly complex is how often it is misinterpreted. Leaders experiencing it are frequently advised to “communicate better,” “be more flexible,” or “reflect on their leadership style,” while the underlying behaviours go unchallenged. Over time, this misdiagnosis can erode confidence, distort organisational narratives, and create environments where dysfunction becomes normalised.
This article highlights why upward bullying must be understood not as an interpersonal issue, but as a structural and organisational risk, one that requires clarity, courage, and a more sophisticated response from leaders, HR, and boards alike.
I invite you to read the full article and reflect on whether the patterns described may already be present, but unrecognised, within your own organisation.