What to do if you fear your boss ? I The Power Distance cover art

What to do if you fear your boss ? I The Power Distance

What to do if you fear your boss ? I The Power Distance

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You hold back in meetings, overthink your phrasing, and hesitate to challenge your manager — not because you lack ideas, but because authority makes you freeze. The result? Silence, lost potential, and shrinking confidence.

In this episode, Martin Wolf and Dr. Verena Seibert-Giller break down the concept of Power Distance, a psychological and cultural dynamic that shapes how we respond to hierarchy. When the gap between roles feels too wide, even high performers shut down.

They explore:

– Why fear of status loss leads to idea suppression and groupthink

– How cultural and generational factors play into deference

– What high power distance environments do to initiative and innovation

– Subtle ways hierarchy is enforced — and how to recognize it

– Psychological tools to stay expressive, even when the stakes feel high

With practical examples and strategies, this episode helps you untangle respect from silence, and authority from intimidation — so you can show up with more clarity and confidence, no matter who’s in the room.

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