Call Me Emotional One More Time and Watch What I Build

What One Man’s Feedback Taught Me About Power, Perception, and Leading From Emotion—Not in Spite of It.

There’s a version of leadership we’ve been sold: polished, detached, and always in control.

The most defining leadership moments don’t happen on stage; they happen when we’re cracked open and forced to choose ourselves.

My moment happened in a conference room, under fluorescent lights, being told I was “too emotional.”

It wasn’t just feedback; it was a dismissal of my leadership, my humanity, and my voice.

This didn’t just change my career. It changed how I lead myself in work, in marriage, in motherhood, and in every space I enter.

This is a story about leadership, yes. But it’s also a story about liberation.

The Moment That Shattered (and Rebuilt) Me

I was working in the learning and development department of an insurance company.

We were transitioning into Agile methodology, and I applied to become a Scrum Master — a servant leadership role that felt tailor-made for me. I‘ve always believed leadership is about team health, power balance, and coaching with clarity.

I went through the interview process feeling confident, prepared, and deeply aligned. But ultimately, I wasn’t chosen. When I asked for feedback, I was told: “Well… you’re just too emotional.” I legitimately stopped breathing.

I asked for examples, hoping this was a misunderstanding. Instead, he described another woman on my team, not me. He spoke of her.

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