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Show Notes

At 2:00 a.m., a woman was banging on my hotel door screaming, “Call 911.”

Another was sobbing, “My mom’s going to die.”

Someone was throwing up in the bathroom.

Two men were lying in bed watching it unfold.

And Nana — the business — was on the floor.

That night revealed something I now teach inside boardrooms, executive teams, and M&A environments:

Under pressure, every leader defaults into predictable patterns.

Control.
 Catastrophe.
 Collapse.
 Calm.
 Withdrawal.

These responses are not moral failures.

But when they run the room unconsciously, they are expensive.

In this episode, I break down the five “Rhondas” that show up under pressure — and how those same nervous system patterns quietly shape mergers, acquisitions, succession, and enterprise value.

I also share a defining leadership moment from a company where I served as Wellness Director:

“She did not contain the conflict. She allowed escalation to set the tone.”

Silence at the top is not neutral.

It shapes culture.

If you are a founder, CEO, board member, or advisor navigating pressure, this episode will change how you see your next high-stakes moment.

🔗 Resources & Links

🌐 Work With Me (Invitation-Only Consulting)
www.kathieowen.com

📖 Book: Human Patterns Under Pressure
www.kathieowen.com/human-patterns

📝 Full Blog Post (Expanded Framework)
www.kathieowen.com/blog/calm-down-rhonda-costing-millions

🎤 Speaking & Keynotes
www.kathieowen.com/speaking

If this conversation resonates, share it with a leader who needs to hear it.

And remember:

Calm down, Rhonda.

Because unmanaged humanity is expensive.