How to Lead When One Team Member Dominates the Room

We’ve all been there. A team meeting is derailed by one person who can’t stop talking. The “gunner” who jumps in, interrupts others, and takes over the conversation. In this episode, we explore what’s really behind that behavior and how leaders can turn it from a frustration into a strength. Through the lens of evolutionary psychology, we uncover why some people seek dominance in groups and how our brains respond to unfairness. You’ll learn why these ancient instincts still shape today’s workplace dynamics and how you can use them to restore balance and collaboration in your team. Plus, we share four actionable strategies to redirect over-talkers, foster fairness, and build a culture rooted in prestige-based leadership, not dominance. If you’ve ever struggled with a domineering colleague or want to make your meetings more inclusive and effective, this one is for you.In this episode:- Evolutionary roots of dominance and prestige- Tip 1: Establish fair participation norms- Tip 2: Channel the gunner’s energy into teaching roles- Tip 3: Use private coaching to increase awareness- Tip 4: Model prestige-based leadership & psychological safety- Key takeaways and course of actionResources Used in the Episode:Boehm, C. (1999). Hierarchy in the Forest: The Evolution of Egalitarian Behavior. Harvard University Press: https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674006911  Henrich, J., & Gil‑White, F. J. (2001). The evolution of prestige: freely conferred deference as a mechanism for enhancing the benefits of cultural transmission. Evolution and Human Behavior, 22(3), 165–196: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2001-17993-001  Van Vugt, M., & Smith, J. E. (2019). A dual model of leadership and hierarchy: evolutionary synthesis. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 23(11), 952–967: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31629633/ Get Your Copy of The Mammoth in the Room: https://mammothleadershipsciences.com/book/Get in Touch: Website: https://www.mammothleadershipscien ces.com    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaspokorny YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MammothLeadershipSciences