Carlson said managing people, while not as technically demanding as some jobs, has its own set of required skills. And when people are put in positions they're not qualified for and put under pressure, things sometimes get ugly. A lot of businesses need people with technical skills, but they get promoted to management and they're horrible at it. It's not something just anyone can do. Usually, colleagues fear reprisals form the bully if they challenge his or her authority.
Most victims get support from friends, spouses or partners.
Even human-resource departments within companies are reluctant to step in and see if there's a real problem, he said.