If your colleague regularly criticizes your ideas at team meetings, it is important to understand that this is a conflict! You can prepare arguments in advance based on facts and specific data to justify your suggestions, and it is also possible to maintain a respectful tone during the discussion, demonstrating professionalism and confidence. If the criticism is unfounded, indicate it calmly, without getting personal. However, this is a conflict, and it is important to involve a neutral mediator to resolve the conflict, this will speed up the resolution of the conflict, as well as create an atmosphere of trust in the team, as everyone will understand that in any conflict a neutral mediator will be involved.

Dealing with a colleague who undermines your ideas can be challenging. Here are some strategies to assert yourself effectively: Stay Calm: Respond professionally and keep emotions in check. Address Privately: Discuss the behavior with your colleague in private. Be Confident: Present your ideas clearly and confidently. Seek Support: Get backing from team members or your manager. Provide Evidence: Use data to support your ideas. Engage the Team: Involve the team in discussions. Document Ideas: Keep a record of your contributions. Stay Positive: Highlight the benefits of your ideas.

At the onset, do not react emotionally or be defensive and respond rationally to maintain composure. Keep your cognitive biases aside while handling such situations. Take a pause and reclarify your idea to ensure that there is no misunderstanding of what you stating. Brainstrom your colleague's perspective and idea based on facts and provide an avenue to collaborate and create an open channel of communication. Do a follow up after this conversation with curiosity instead of accusition. After you have put in the effort from your end and you figure that this is not getting into the constructive space and rather your colleague is dismissive of your idea to put you down, do not hesitate to escalate or handle this from behavioural point of view.

When your ideas are undermined, assert yourself confidently and professionally: -Stay Composed: Respond calmly and avoid being defensive. -Communicate Clearly: Articulate your points confidently and provide evidence to back your ideas. -Build Allies: Share your ideas with supportive colleagues before meetings for added reinforcement. -Address Privately: Speak with the colleague in private to address the issue constructively. -Involve Leadership: If the behavior persists, seek guidance from a manager or mediator.

Expect the unexpected be it positive or negative. People may have different reasons why they undermine you. But the most important thing of all - be objective. Detach yourself from physical emotions. Discuss your ideas objectively with your supporting facts. Maintain your composure and always be guided that you are there to share and not to argue. Clarify that you might be right or wrong but the thing is you want to share your perspective which can help in the meeting. If this was done only once then treat this as an experience but if this will always happen in almost any meetings you have, then have a private discussion with that colleague and find resolution. In the event he won't stop, then refer this matter to your superior.