You answered A...

Nothing. Hugh has been pushing everyone’s buttons and every now and then people need a bit of a shock. Later, you go to find Jo and say to her: How did it go with Hugh? You seemed pretty annoyed with him. You might want to go a bit easy – he might not be here much longer anyway.

It’s natural to want to punish someone who has been a thorn in your side. The problem here is that the situation is likely to make Hugh more and not less defensive. Jo may also be seen as unprofessional and even ‘out of control’. More importantly still we must ask whether it is Jo’s right or her job to be ‘punishing’ Hugh at all. The comment at the end does not make it clear what ‘taking it easy’ means – is it a hint of negative feedback for Jo or just a suggestion that she not waste her energy on a no-hoper?

Our suggestion is C

Nothing at the time but later that day find Jo and say: Jo, I know you’ve had enough of Hugh. However, I was alarmed to see you having it out with him in front of the whole room because being criticised in public probably made things much worse for Hugh - it might also make people worry about whether you would do the same to them if they crossed you. I am keen for you to apologise to Hugh, in some way.