Bullying has been part of human culture since the dawn of time—whether it was Napoleon, King Henry VIII, or Catherine the Great. Power-hungry leaders have always sought to place others beneath them. They crave superiority. While the classic image of a bully is someone physically intimidating, true dominance often stems not from size, but from intellect, skill, resources, or status.

A bully’s drive for superiority is usually rooted in deep-seated insecurity. To overcompensate, they construct a world in which they can appear superior—not just to others, but to themselves. Often, these individuals possess charismatic or winsome personalities, which can make their true nature difficult to detect.

One of the most destructive by-products of a bully’s need for dominance is their obsession with preserving their persona. To them, bullying is less about the target (which may be you or someone you care about) and more about managing how they’re perceived. The victim often becomes collateral damage when the bully feels their superiority is being questioned or threatened. This is why a bully may repeatedly single someone out for public humiliation—to reassert their dominance.

Victims may not realize they’ve stepped on a hornet’s nest by simply offering a suggestion, asking a question, or challenging an idea. The bully’s reaction often comes with double intensity. What seemed like a reasonable comment can provoke a disproportionate response—a verbal firehose turned on full blast. The bully’s weaponized need for superiority is always ready to fire.

You may be dealing with a bully if you’ve experienced any of the following:

1. Have you tried to reason with someone, only to be shocked by their intense reaction?

2. Did that response intimidate you or undermine your credibility?

3. Does the person remain calm only when you agree or submit?

Recognizing the signs of superiority-driven bullying is essential, especially when it comes to supporting others. If you see someone reacting to another with exaggerated intensity, resist the urge to join in. Ruining someone’s reputation is a classic tactic bullies use to assert dominance. By refusing to participate—or better yet, stepping away—you give the targeted person a chance to recover their footing.

Bullies rely on subtle, manipulative tactics.
Recognizing the game is the first step to ending it.
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