To Speak or Not to Speak

7 September 2026

 

I was working with a group of guys at a manufacturing company. The area that we were working in was made up of rooms divided by clear glass walls. We were sitting in one room having tea, while there were three people in the one next door.

It was clear from the totally dejected look and posture of one, the triumphant and threatening demeanour of the other, and the completely withdrawn manner of the third, that this was a staff member being severely chewed out.

My heart leaped into my throat with concern and sympathy for the “victim”.

As I watched this drama unfold, the “victim” quietly reached into a folder and withdrew a document. He slid it across the table to the other two, stood up, walked out and dissolved into tears.

I wanted to reach out to him and confront the other two. But cowardice disguised as professionalism won.

I did nothing.

And to this day, I regret that.

That's the day I decided: Professional cowardice will never again rule my decisions.

 

Mark Deavall

 

If you would like to talk to me, please call me on +27 82 465 5481 or email me on mark@meritbusiness.com

 

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