Passive-Aggressive people leave you feeling confused by what they're really trying to say.
Talking Points:
- The Silent Treatment– When someone uses silence to let you know there is a problem instead of directly telling you.
- Subtle Insults– A comment that leaves you wondering if whether or not you were just insulted, used to undermine your confidence.
- Procrastinating on Purpose– Procrastination when it is used as a power tool of someone demonstrating they have control over your time.
- Sabotage– When a person deliberately messes something up for someone else, often under the guise of an accident.
- Keeping Score– When someone keeps track of all the favors they’ve done for you and retaliates when you do not pay them back.
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Review the types of passive aggressive behaviors. Which ones have you experienced? Have you ever found yourself doing any of these behaviors?
- What do you think are some of the motivations behind passive aggressive behaviors?
- How can passive aggressive behaviors demonstrate power dynamics? How does it affect the sense of control between two people?
- Do you think passive aggressiveness is a form of manipulation? Why or why not?
- What are some ways you can handle situations where someone is being passive aggressive? How can you make sure you avoid passive aggressive behaviors?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?