How to navigate public attacks in the workplace and turn conflict into collaboration 
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where a team member suddenly turned against you or others in a meeting or group setting? Perhaps they made a harsh comment, dismissed your idea or work, or even yelled at you in front of your colleagues. Such public attacks can leave you feeling embarrassed, belittled and disrespected. But what can you do to address this in a professional manner?
The issue becomes even more complex when the criticism comes directly from those at the top. Imagine walking into your office one morning, only to find that your boss has sent an email to the entire company, criticizing your work in front of everyone. Your colleagues start avoiding eye contact, whispering among themselves, and suddenly, you feel like an outsider. You try to explain yourself, but your boss interrupts, dismissing your concerns and telling you that you are just being too sensitive. You leave the office feeling embarrassed, demotivated, and unsure of how to repair the damage to your reputation.
These scenarios, unfortunately, play out all too often in many workplaces with different actors and details but what is common here is the existence of the attack. It can be devastating, creating a toxic work environment that affects not only the person on the receiving end but also the entire team’s morale and productivity. It is a form of bullying that can lead to anxiety, depression and burnout, ultimately causing talented employees to quit and leaving the organization struggling to recover.
These public attacks can have a significant impact on employee engagement, leading to feelings of dissatisfaction, demotivation and disengagement. When employees feel that their efforts and contributions are not valued or appreciated, they may become less motivated to perform at their best. Moreover, public attacks can kill trust between employees themselves or management, creating an intimidating work environment that fosters negativity, gossip and backstabbing. As a result, employees may become less likely to collaborate, share ideas, or take risks, ultimately leading to decreased productivity and job satisfaction.
Furthermore, the fear of being publicly shamed or teased can cause employees to hesitate when sharing their opinions or suggesting new ideas, which can minimize innovation and progress within the organization. Therefore, it is essential for leaders to recognize the negative impact of public attacks and instead adopt strategies that promote constructive feedback, respectful communication, and a positive work culture.
By establishing a culture of respect, empathy and inclusivity, organizations can prevent public attacks and foster a positive work environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
However, it is important to remember that sometimes, when people speak up or disagree in meetings, they do not mean to hurt anyone. They might just want to share their ideas or show that they know a lot about the topic. But the way they talk or interrupt others can make their teammates feel bad or embarrassed, even if that was not the plan. This happens because not everyone knows how to share their thoughts in a way that is kind and respectful to others.
To help with this, teams can learn together about how to listen well and how to talk to each other in a courteous way. Learning how to give feedback without hurting feelings or how to disagree without being mean is really important. This way, everyone can share their thoughts and ideas without making anyone feel left out or embarrassed.
By looking at things this way, we can make our workplaces better. It is about making sure everyone can speak up but in a way that makes everyone feel good and respected. This helps everyone to work better together and makes the office a nicer place for all.
By establishing a culture of respect, empathy and inclusivity, organizations can prevent public attacks and foster a positive work environment where everyone feels valued and supported. Leaders can set the tone by practicing active listening, giving constructive feedback in private, and encouraging open communication. Training programs can also help employees develop healthy communication habits and conflict resolution skills.
It starts with recognizing the harm that public attacks can impose and making some effort to create a safe space where everyone can grow. By doing so, organizations can not only save millions of dollars in turnover costs but also build a strong foundation for success. Now imagine walking into your office feeling excited, motivated, and eager to contribute to a supportive team that appreciates your contributions.
It is time to make that vision a reality.
• Firas Abussaud is a petroleum engineering systems specialist with more than 21 years of experience in the industry. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering and a Master of Science qualification in construction engineering and management from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. Beyond his technical expertise, he is interested in photography, graphic design and artificial intelligence.
