In this episode of Gentle Power, we unpack a situation that comes up often in our client work: navigating moments where you feel undervalued, dismissed, or treated aggressively by the other side. We talk about how to respond without escalating the situation, how to protect your leverage, and how to distinguish between a one-off bad interaction and a real red flag about the company.

Our conversation covers:

• Why feeling disrespected during a job search is common, and why it hits harder than people expect

• The case for assuming best intent early on (even when the other side is rude or dismissive)

• How staying calm and professional can actually improve your negotiating position

• When disrespect might be a test, and how composure under pressure works in your favor

• Why recruiter behavior doesn’t always reflect what your experience at the company will be like

• Where to draw the line

  
  

If you’ve ever wondered whether a negative interaction is a deal-breaker, or how to respond without hurting your outcome, this episode offers a grounded framework for keeping your side of the street clean while still advocating for yourself.

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