In my coaching conversations with Anna, she remarked that she felt unsupported by a colleague who she thought tried to sabotage her during team meetings rather than having her back. According to Anna, this coworker (we’ll call Dina) seemed to relish the opportunity to find something critical to say, shoot down Anna’s ideas, and rally others to an opposing viewpoint. The situation understandably caused Anna to feel vulnerable, doubt herself, and lose trust in a relationship she valued. As her executive coach, she turned to me for strategies to counter this negativity.
When a Coworker Undermines You in a Meeting
It can feel jarring and even hurtful. Here’s how to respond.
August 25, 2023
Summary.
Feeling undermined, unappreciated, or unsupported by a colleague when you’re both in the same meeting can lead to loss of trust, along with feelings of self-doubt and lack of confidence. But looking to see what you can do to help the situation, rather than dwelling on what someone is doing to you, can begin to ease tension and repair a dysfunctional working relationship. In this article, the author offers strategies to try when a coworker doesn’t have your back.
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New!
HBR Learning
Difficult Interactions Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Difficult Interactions. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Learn how to resolve those inevitable workplace conflicts.