Negotiate Anything The Hidden Pressure of Being in Charge
Feb 5, 2026
Mel Doman, organizational psychologist and author of Cornered Office, studies leadership mental health. She talks about the unseen stress and isolation leaders face. Conversation covers why leaders are dehumanized, how compassion for leaders can be rebuilt, organizational supports and practical steps for leaders to signal capacity and speak about struggles.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Leaders Are Human, Not Oracles
- Leaders are humans with the same vulnerabilities as everyone else, not faultless oracles.
- Mel Doman felt intense imposter pressure writing about leaders' mental health despite her expertise.
The Leadership Illusion Harms Everyone
- Society strips leaders of humanity because admitting struggle threatens the illusion of trust.
- People assume power equals better mental health, which Mel argues is false and dangerous.
Prototype Bias Masks Leader Strain
- Research shows people assume leaders naturally have better mental health and less illness.
- This prototype bias prevents empathy and conceals real risk in organizations.
