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Hi Reader, Welcome to Your Dose of Mana — a quick, weekly note with: If your biggest business challenges are actually people challenges, you’re in the right place. 1 Real Story Throughout my life, I’ve been told I “intimidate” people. And it drives me batty. Because here’s what I know about myself: I’m warm. Apparently, that combination equals “intimidating.” I’ve asked people to explain it. Most can’t. It’s vague. A feeling. A presence. Once, I did intentionally use my height and presence to intimidate a CEO I didn’t respect. That was strategic and deserved. But that’s not what they’re talking about. They’re talking about the fact that I stand tall. Speak clearly. Make eye contact. Know what I think. Don’t apologize for existing. And I’m not shrinking. 1 Leadership Insight At what point does confidence become intimidation? Here’s what I’ve come to believe: Confidence feels threatening to people who are uncertain about their own footing. Especially when it shows up without apology. We tend to label what unsettles us. If someone is comfortable with who they are
and we are not? It can feel destabilizing. So we call it intimidating. In the workplace, assertive men are often described as:
Assertive women? But I don’t want this to be about gender. I want it to be about comfort. Because what unsettles people most isn’t height. It’s congruence. When someone’s words, posture, energy, and self-concept all line up… there’s no wobble. No hedging. That steadiness can feel like power. And power makes people take inventory of their own. 1 Practical Takeaway If you’ve ever been told you’re intimidating, pause before you internalize it. Ask yourself: – Am I being disrespectful? If the answer is no… Then what you may actually be is: – clear And that’s not intimidation. That’s alignment. Shouldn’t we all be comfortable with who we are? Shouldn’t the goal of leadership be to stand fully in ourselves — not contort to make others more comfortable? And shrinking to soothe other people’s insecurity is not what’s best for you. Stand tall. Heels optional. 1 Dose of Art A little whimsy. A little joy. A little doodle.
Doodle by Gary Schechner, 2/6/26 Even though this is a “mass email” I mean it when I say—let me know what you are up to. Reply, book a Zoom, pick up the phone. I’d love to catch up. If people issues are slowing down your business, let’s fix that. Thanks for letting me show up in your inbox. More joy. Less friction. Always. |