Women face difficult moments at work that demand judgement, composure, and credibility. In high-pressure situations, many women experience a fight, flight, freeze, or fawn response as the amygdala takes over. When that happens, access to clear language can disappear at exactly the moment it is needed most.
In this episode, Mel Butcher and Michelle Redfern focus on the role language plays in navigating hostile behaviour, poor conduct, and power dynamics at work. This is not about sounding polite or agreeable. It is about using language that protects credibility, sets boundaries, and redirects behaviour without escalating risk.
The conversation is grounded in real workplace scenarios, including a role-play that demonstrates what effective language sounds like in practice.
In this episode, we cover
The types of workplace situations that trigger fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses
Common patterns of poor behaviour that women encounter in hostile or unsafe environments
Why some responses escalate risk while others preserve authority and options
The difference between language that diffuses and language that undermines you
Practical phrases women leaders can use to name behaviour and reset boundaries
A live role-play showing how language choices change outcomes
Why this matters
Language is a leadership tool. In moments of pressure, the words you choose shape how you are perceived, how behaviour is addressed, and whether situations improve or deteriorate. Women are often judged more harshly for the same language choices as men, underscoring the importance of strategic communication.
This episode equips women with language that works under pressure and helps leaders recognise how to respond when poor behaviour shows up in their teams.
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