Author: Sharika Pruitt, ED.s, LPC, NCC Licensed Professional Counselor in Alabama, Georgia, Florida & Texas
I never thought I would write this post. Not because I didn’t believe it could happen, but because I never imagined that people I once supported, mentored, and gave opportunities to would turn around and try to destroy me. But here I am. And if you’re reading this, you may be here too.
This post is for the business owners, leaders, and professionals who have been betrayed by people they trusted. The ones who have faced false accusations, sabotage, and relentless attempts to undermine everything they’ve built. The ones who have given their time, energy, and resources to help others—only to watch those same people try to take them down.
If that’s you, I see you. I understand your anger. I know your pain. But I also know this:
You Will Survive This. And You Will Be Stronger For It.
The Reality of Professional Betrayal
No one prepares you for the ugly side of leadership and business ownership. They tell you to be a great leader, to mentor others, to pour into people. But they don’t tell you that:
• The very people you help will sometimes be the ones who hurt you the most.
• Some employees or colleagues will twist your words, weaponize your kindness, and project their own failures onto you.
• People will falsely accuse you, not because you did anything wrong, but because they want to see you humbled and hurt.
• Competitors will try to sabotage your business, steal your clients, and gaslight you into thinking you’re the problem.
And worst of all? They will convince themselves that they are the victims.
Signs You’re Dealing With Professional Sabotage
If you’re going through a similar situation, you may notice the following patterns:
✅ People you once helped are now making false accusations against you.
✅ You are suddenly being reported to boards, agencies, or authorities—without evidence.
✅ Former employees or colleagues open competing businesses right next door to yours.
✅ They poach your clients and attempt to turn others against you.
✅ They try to frame you as the aggressor when they are, in fact, the ones interfering with your career.
This is not a coincidence. This is calculated and intentional sabotage.
How to Handle It Like a Boss (Without Losing Your Sanity)
When betrayal knocks on your door, you have two choices: Let it destroy you or let it refine you.
Here’s how to stand your ground and protect yourself when faced with professional backstabbing:
1. Keep Receipts & Stay Professional
• Document EVERYTHING—emails, text messages, employment agreements, contracts, and policies.
• If accusations are made, respond with facts, not emotions.
• If legal or board complaints arise, provide written evidence that disproves their claims.
📌 Pro Tip: The louder they get, the quieter you should be. Let your documents and integrity do the talking.
2. Don’t Engage in the Drama
They want you to react emotionally. They want you to feel cornered and lash out.
Don’t.
• Keep your responses short, factual, and devoid of emotion.
• Never argue with someone who is committed to misunderstanding you.
• Remember: You do not owe them closure, explanations, or access to your energy.
3. Expose the Pattern & Demand Accountability
If you are facing repeated false complaints or ethical violations from others, make it known.
• Report unethical behavior (like client poaching or defamation).
• Hold institutions accountable—if your licensing board or employer is mishandling complaints, demand transparency.
• Call out intimidation tactics when necessary (professionally and legally).
You are not powerless. Do not let them rewrite your story.
4. Recognize That This is a Redirection, Not a Failure
This situation is not happening to you—it’s happening for you.
• The betrayal is revealing who was never meant to be in your space.
• The sabotage is pushing you out of an environment that no longer serves you.
• The false accusations are forcing you to create stronger boundaries and build smarter.
Sometimes, your biggest pain point is your greatest breakthrough.
5. Move On & Win (Louder Than Ever)
The best revenge? Success, peace, and prosperity.
• Let them waste time trying to destroy you.
• Let them build their entire brand around trying to compete with you.
• Let them dedicate their energy to hoping you fail.
Meanwhile, you will be too busy thriving to even notice.
Because real power doesn’t need to retaliate—it just keeps rising.
To Every Leader, Entrepreneur, and Professional Facing Betrayal:
I know how much it hurts.
I know what it’s like to lay awake at night replaying every detail, wondering what you could have done differently.
I know what it feels like to question yourself, to feel broken, to wonder if all the work you put in was even worth it.
But I also know that this moment does not define you.
It is a chapter—not the whole book.
You will rise from this. You will build bigger, better, and smarter. And the people who tried to break you will have no choice but to watch you win.
Let them talk. Let them plot. Let them scheme.
While they stay bitter, you’ll be better.
And that’s the part they can’t stand.
Stay strong, stay unshaken, and most of all—stay winning.
Have You Experienced This?
If you’ve faced professional betrayal or sabotage, I’d love to hear how you handled it. Share your experience in the comments—your story could help someone else navigate their own battle.
💛 To those who are still standing tall despite the attacks, I see you. Keep going. 🚀✨
I read with interest your account of a betrayal at your workplace. I can relate personally to the pain and disillusionment of facing this kind of experience.