Shannon Perry Addresses the Issue of Adult Bullying in New Book

The 2017 Workplace Bullying Institute survey showed that over 60 million American workers are affected by bullying at their jobs. The survey showed that males bully females 65% of the time while females bully other females 67% of the time. Moreover, less than 30% of employers actively punish bullying or deal with it directly. Author, speaker and counselor Shannon Perry created an anti-bullying programs in one of the largest public school systems in the U.S. during her time as an educator. She tackles the subject of adult bullying directly in her new book, "Grace and Guts: Strategies for Living a Knock-out Life," set to release January 22, 2019 from Morgan James Publishing.

"Bullying is something I have fought against for many years," says Perry. "I have personally experienced bullying as a child and as an adult so it is something that I know first-hand. Bullying has become an epidemic, not only among students, but in the workplace as well. A bully is someone who thrives on power and control. In 'Grace and Guts,' I felt it necessary to not only identify bullies, but also list eight additional types of difficult people, their traits, and how to counteract them."

Drawing from her counseling background, Perry includes a specific checklist of do's and don'ts for those who deal with difficult people at work, at home or even at church.

"We do not have to allow other people's misery to infect our lives, nor are we responsible for fixing them," says Perry. "While all of us can be demanding and selfish at times, difficult people maintain a pattern of bad behavior. Jesus was always associating with difficult people, but He always affected them, they never infected Him. We need to learn to do the same."

Though it has been nearly five years since releasing her last award-winning book for teen girls, "Stand: Staying Balanced with Answers for Real Teen Life," Perry never meant to take a hiatus from writing. During the past few years, Perry saw her mother diagnosed with cancer, which she subsequently passed away from in 2017. While her mother was fighting for her life, her father was also diagnosed with cancer, requiring immediate surgery. In the midst of her caretaker role as an only child, Perry continued to speak at conferences and events across the country where she asked women of all ages to describe the most difficult challenges they face on a daily basis. She identified twelve issues that were consistent: overcoming fear, people-pleasing, facing uncertainty, mastering anger, exhaustion, betrayal, insecurity, depression, loneliness, finding purpose, addiction, and dealing with difficult people. Perry says writing "Grace and Guts" was cathartic in many ways as she faced her own challenges over the past five years.

"The book cover of me wearing boxing gloves says it all," says Perry. "Life can often feel like a boxing ring and, in the last few years, I have felt as if I was often fighting for my sanity, my peace and my own sense of purpose. We all have had personal battles with one of these twelve core issues.   I hope that this book offers people tools that will help them gain victory over the things that hold them back from living life to its fullest." 

About Shannon Perry:

Described by one conference attendee as "a cross between comedian Chonda Pierce and Bible teacher Beth Moore," Shannon Perry has been named the favorite speaker by numerous women's conferences and groups. She hosts a weekly TV show, Grace in High Heels, which airs on five television networks into over 100 million homes. She is the author of three books, "Grace in High Heels: Real Life Reflections of Humor, Hope and Healing," "The Overlooked Generation: Parenting Teens and Tweens in a Complicated Culture", and the Reader's Favorite Award-winning book, "Stand: Staying Balanced with Answers for Real Teen Life." She holds a Master's degree in Education and Counseling and is a Certified Instructor in Parenting Classes and Crisis Counseling.

As a singer and songwriter, Shannon has teamed with Lifeway's Songwriter of the Year, Paul Marino, to write and record songs for one full-length CD as well as the song, "Overlooked," featured on Shannon's latest CD, In Her Shoes. The music video for "Overlooked" was directed by Telly Award-winning filmmaker Jeff Kubach whose credits include the hit television shows Survivor and Burn Notice.   Shannon has performed with the Houston Symphony, at Carnegie Hall, and sang the National Anthem at a Houston Astros game and Houston Texans NFL game before 70,000 fans.  Visit  for more information.

 

 

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