My Colleague Believed He Was Clever, but I Gave Him a Reality Check He Will Never Forget

Team lunches are about more than food—they’re about effort and respect. When a colleague, Dean, repeatedly showed up empty-handed but loaded his plate, frustration boiled over. After months of freeloading, I finally called him out in front of the team, pointing out the unfairness of his behavior.

While the message was valid, the public confrontation left me feeling conflicted. Should I have handled it privately? In the end, it wasn’t just about food but setting boundaries and upholding fairness. It’s a tricky balance, but respect within a team matters, and sometimes, tough conversations are necessary.