When the plan requires a public scapegoat, a ranked list posted on a wall, or one person absorbing the blame for a group decision, say no and find the slower version. If the humiliation has already happened, correct the record in front of the same audience and take the blame yourself if it's yours. Accept the smaller number when that's the price.

Consequences are not humiliation — moving someone off a project, ending an arrangement, or telling them plainly that the work isn't good enough are all fair, done directly. And when someone's conduct has harmed others, the people affected are owed the truth about it, even though it costs the offender standing.