Office Politics

Dealing with a colleague’s betrayal

I sat back in my chair feeling numb. Stunned.

If I’d been connected to an EEG, I would have registered zero brain activity.

A colleague with whom I’ve worked alongside for years had just done what I would have argued was unthinkable.

He sandbagged me and my department, in a strategy presentation to one of our executive officers.

It was his presentation to prepare and give but he never volunteer who it was for when he asked for two slides from me to represent my organization. Nor did he share the 23 slides he had prepared showing his organization.

I choose to be a trusting person and I choose to assume positive intent with people I work with. But I’m not naïve.

I’ve accumulated enough scars that I maintain a realistic perspective about how much trust I extend. Unfortunately, I never saw this one coming.

I also understand competition, ambition, and drive. But neither my colleague nor I am bucking for a promotion.

We are both peering out towards retirement in a few years with him a bit closer than me. Which only adds to the mystery.

We haven’t yet discussed the incident. I need some time to process. Hell, I don't even know if he thinks he did anything wrong.

I’m working towards keeping an open mind but the sting is still too fresh.

Maybe between now and Monday, I’ll gain some perspective.