When the Meeting Becomes a TikTok Skit

If you’ve scrolled TikTok or Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen the viral Veronica workplace videos by @therealveronika_. They’re hilarious, and they land hard because they expose how bad leadership and poor communication sound from the outside.

Take the above clip where Veronica gets called out in a team meeting for a missing report. She calmly explains she already turned it in, then asks: “So why are you calling me out in front of everyone—but protecting your team lead by taking her mistakes offline?”

It’s comedy, but it reflects a real problem. When leaders single out employees publicly, avoid accountability, or play favorites, it erodes trust faster than almost anything else. And when leaders don’t set clear expectations, employees fill the silence with resentment—or satire.

A Better Way Forward

In real life, there’s a healthier way to handle this moment:

• For the manager: Concerns about deliverables should be raised one-on-one, not in front of the team. A simple: “Veronica, let’s touch base after this call about the report” would protect dignity, model fairness, and still move the issue forward. Public correction should be reserved only for urgent accountability that benefits the whole group.

• From Veronica’s perspective: Instead of pushing the conflict further in front of colleagues, she could acknowledge the concern and suggest a follow-up privately: “I believe I already submitted that report—can we connect after this call to confirm?” This protects her reputation while also redirecting the issue toward resolution.

At Eremos Leadership, we don’t encourage “Veronica-ing” your boss. But we do believe the popularity of these videos is telling us something important:

• People are hungry for managers who communicate with clarity and fairness.

• Employees want boundaries respected and contributions acknowledged.

• Teams thrive when leaders model accountability, not deflect it.

The truth is, no one sets out to be a “bad manager.” Most leaders are promoted for their technical skills—not for their ability to communicate under pressure, navigate conflict, or balance accountability with empathy. We design workshops that give leaders the tools to prevent meetings from turning into "Veronica" videos:

• The Emotionally Intelligent Leader – We help leaders recognize and regulate their own emotions, build empathy, and create a culture of trust.

• Mastering Tough Conversations – We provide practical frameworks for addressing performance, conflict, and accountability without defensiveness or damage. 

If your team’s meetings sometimes feel a little too close to one of Veronica's videos, it might be time to invest in the kind of leadership training that keeps the comedy on TikTok—and builds trust in your workplace.

👉 Learn more ateremosworkshops.com.