The Next-Level Paycheck

Workplace Microaggressions: Why “Small” Comments Hurt

May 16, 2026·6 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Workplace microaggressions may seem small, but their impact can be powerful.This is where leaders begin to unlock what I call their $2,000 Leadership Advantage. Stuck around $70K–$80K and ready to move toward $100K+?Start with my 3-minute Leadership Assessment (link below).If you qualify, you’ll unlock my $2,000 Leadership Advantage —4 weeks of coaching, private WhatsApp support, and tools to help you break the ceiling.Apply Here -  ⁠https://dvjkmswy.formester.com/f/kxISU2H1H⁠ In this episode, I share real examples of microaggressions from my leadership career — from being publicly challenged in a meeting to being dismissed during a strategy conversation, and even how a “nice” comment can make someone feel unseen.We’ll explore why microaggressions hurt, how they can demean or deflate people, and why leaders must understand the difference between intent and impact.In this episode:• What microaggressions look like at work• Why small comments can have an outsized impact• How public comments can be used to put someone “in their place”• Why compliments can still feel dismissive• How microaggressions affect workplace culture and belongingYou’re not stuck because you’re incapable.You’re stuck because you’ve been doing it alone.Timestamps00:00 – “Who Do You Think You Are?”00:39 – When a Compliment Feels Dismissive01:24 – What Microaggressions Really Are01:47 – Why Microaggressions Are So Harmful02:06 – Publicly Challenged in a Leadership Meeting02:55 – Dismissed During Strategic IT Planning03:54 – The Hair Compliment Example04:44 – Why She Felt Unseen05:00 – Small Comments, Outsized Impact05:17 – Passive Aggression and Microaggressions05:34 – You’re Not Stuck Because You’re Incapable

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