The first part of this question is tricky. Anyone can be targeted for bullying regardless of race, qualifications and Occupational level. Unlike childhood bullying where children are targeted because of some vulnerability, adult targets of bullying are perceived by the bully to be posing some threat, and note that the operative word is “perceived”. The threat may not exist, but in the bully ‘s head the knowledge , skills or affable personality that makes the target appeal to colleagues, is what sends the bully on a tailspin. Some bullies bully because the only exposure they have had to people in leadership positions, were other bullies. In this instance bullying is learned behavior. In other instances personality disorders are the root cause of bully behaviors. Remember that narcissist boss where everything was about him/her?
