In this episode of The Case for Communication, I share a courtroom story where my witness—confident, prepared, and articulate—shut down under the pressure of a mocking cross-examination. The lesson? It’s not just what you say, but the emotional atmosphere you create that determines whether others feel safe to speak.Joining me is Jennifer Webb, a leading voice in employer branding and workplace culture. Together, we explore how culture isn’t set by mission statements—it’s set by tone, behavior, and everyday interactions. We talk about how to reset the mood in a meeting, how generational differences shape reactions to tone, and how emotional contagion in the workplace affects performance.