🕵️ Sabotage in Plain Sight: When Colleagues Undermine Your Success


They smile to your face but steal your ideas in meetings. Learn to identify and combat workplace sabotage using proven strategies.

Workplace sabotage doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it’s subtle, wrapped in a smile, and disguised as “collaboration.” A coworker nods at your idea in private, then presents it as their own in a team meeting. Or they “accidentally” leave you off the distribution list for a critical email. Or worse — they agree with you in the room but quietly lobby against your proposal behind the scenes.

This isn’t harmless office politics. It’s sabotage in plain sight. And left unchecked, it chips away at your credibility, influence, and career momentum.

🚩 Signs of Sabotage

  • Idea Theft: Your suggestions get repackaged under someone else’s name.
  • Selective Communication: Key details “forget” to reach you.
  • Undermining Confidence: They compliment you one-on-one, then dismiss you in public.
  • Two-Faced Behavior: Supportive in private, obstructive in meetings.
  • Credit Blocking: They reframe group wins to highlight themselves, not the team.

Recognizing the pattern is step one. The real power comes in how you respond.

🛡️ The SHIELD System™ Strategy

Sabotage thrives when it’s invisible. SHIELD Warriors™ bring it into the light without losing composure.

S – Stay Calm and Composed
Saboteurs want you rattled so you look “defensive.” Instead, keep your tone measured and professional.
➡️ Example: “Glad you’re building on my earlier point about X. Let’s also consider Y.”

H – Hold Boundaries Firmly
Call out exclusion respectfully but directly.
➡️ “I wasn’t looped in on that update, but since this impacts my role, let me clarify where we stand.”

I – Initiate Interactions Intentionally
Don’t give saboteurs room to rewrite the story. Share your ideas widely and proactively with decision-makers.
➡️ Schedule 1:1s to plant seeds and ensure credit is visible.

E – Echo and Document Key Points
Paper trails protect you.
➡️ “As discussed in today’s meeting, I’ll take the lead on X deliverable. Here’s the timeline.”
Receipts make it harder for others to erase your role.

L – Listen Strategically
Notice when sabotage happens. Is it during high-visibility projects? With certain stakeholders? Spotting patterns helps you prepare.

D – Disengage and Redirect
When saboteurs stir conflict, pivot back to business.
➡️ “Rather than debating credit, let’s focus on next steps.”

🚀 Final Word

Workplace sabotage thrives on silence and invisibility. But with SHIELD, you stay calm, document your wins, and redirect the spotlight back where it belongs: on your contributions.

Because no matter how many smiles they flash, saboteurs can’t steal your professionalism — or your strategy.

🛡️ SHIELDs Up!™

Ready for help with your two faced colleagues? Let’s chat: https://calendly.com/theshieldsystem/welcome-call

Join my exclusive SHIELD Warriors™ in the SHIELD for Success™ Group Coaching Program.  Find out more here:  Programs – The Shield System.

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