Calm Power in The Workplace: Strategy vs. Emotion

Thoughts or comments? Send us a text!What if the strongest move in a heated meeting isn’t a sharper argument, but a calmer nervous system? We unpack how to lead without shrinking—especially when the room runs hot, the pushback is loud, and your body is screaming to retreat. Through raw stories of tough transitions from colleague to boss, scathing feedback, and a blindsiding confrontation, we explore how composure, curiosity, and clean boundaries can turn conflict into clarity.Mary sits down with mentor and former Fortune 500 transformation leader Camilla Calberg to dig into emotional intelligence you can use in the moment. Camilla shares the flashbulb experience that changed her career trajectory: getting run over in a meeting and realizing she lacked the tools to regulate, read the room, and respond. From that wake-up call came a philosophy rooted in nervous-system aware leadership, trusted advisor positioning, and the courage to address what is happening between people—not just what’s on the agenda.We get practical about serve versus please, the scripts that hold women back, and why the future of leadership is emotional, not merely strategic. You’ll hear how to name the energy in the room, challenge with love, set a dignified pause when conversations derail, and return stronger the next day. We also talk about the hidden split many high-performing women carry—professional confidence alongside personal turmoil—and how inner work, community, and clear language help you stop absorbing other people’s chaos.If you’re ready to ask bolder questions, keep your power under pressure, and leave the room with your integrity intact, this one’s for you. You can find Camilla HERE.https://www.camillacalberg.com/Support the showBUY ME A COFFEE or SUPPORT ALFIE'S TREAT STASHLearn more about my book, Nature Knows: Grow and Thrive through the Wisdom of Plants HERE.Comments about this episode? Suggestions for a future episode? Email me directly at [email protected]. Want to be a guest on No Shrinking Violets Podcast for Women? Send Mary Rothwell a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/noshrinkingvioletsFollow me on Facebook and Instagram, and check out my website!