top of page
DSC05812-Enhanced-NR.jpg

Speaking
 

Helping Women Reclaim Their Power and Rewrite the Rules – at Work and in Life

No fluff. No BS. Just real talk, real change.

Hi, I’m Michelle Minnikin - an organisational psychologist, coach, and author who helps workplaces break free from outdated norms so women can lead with confidence and impact.

 

I know firsthand what it’s like to play by the rules and still feel trapped in the cycle of people pleasing and burnout. I spent years overworking, over-apologising, and bending over backwards to be the “perfect” leader, colleague, daughter, mother and friend. Which massively impacted my health, life, relationships and career.


But here’s the truth: women aren’t the problem - the system is. And that system is costing organisations productivity, engagement, and top talent.

​

Through my talks, workshops, and coaching, I help organisations:

  • Identify how Good Girl Conditioning shows up in their workplace culture

  • Challenge the outdated norms that hold women (and businesses) back

  • Create environments where women thrive - and in turn, drive innovation and performance

 

If you’re looking for a speaker who will engage your audience, spark real change, and (gently) call out the BS, let’s talk.

My Talks

DSC05873-Enhanced-NR.jpg

The Truth About Good Girl Conditioning

​

How societal conditioning keeps women stuck – and how to break free

From the moment we’re born, we’re trained to be nice, agreeable, and not take up too much space. But this conditioning is holding women back from speaking up, advancing their careers, and leading with confidence.

 

​​In this no-BS, eye-opening talk, I expose the hidden impact of Good Girl Conditioning in the workplace and beyond. With a mix of humour, research, and actionable strategies, I’ll help your audience recognise these patterns, challenge limiting beliefs, and unleash their inner rebels.

​

You’ll learn:

  • Why women’s voices are still dismissed – and what to do about it

  • How societal conditioning shapes confidence, leadership, and burnout

  • Practical strategies to set boundaries, speak up, and reclaim power

​​

Perfect for: Leadership events, DEI conferences, HR & L&D programmes, women’s leadership summits

Good Girl Deprogramming @ Work

Helping organisations build workplaces where women thrive

Most leadership programmes tell women to be more confident - but confidence isn’t the problem. Systemic bias, unrealistic expectations, and gendered conditioning are.

 

In this talk, I reveal how workplaces unknowingly reinforce Good Girl Conditioning - and what organisations can do to support and retain top female talent.

 

You’ll learn:

  • The hidden ways workplaces push women into overwork, perfectionism, and burnout

  • The three biggest obstacles women face in leadership - and how to remove them

  • How businesses can create a culture where women feel valued, supported, and empowered

 

Perfect for: HR leaders, DEI professionals, leadership teams, organisational development events

Gavin Forster Photography-66.jpg
0E0A7257 (1).jpg

Becoming Unfuckwithable​

A roadmap for ambitious women who are done playing small.

If you’ve ever thought, “I should speak up, but…” or “I just need to prove myself a little more,” this talk is for you.

 

I help ambitious women who are done with people-pleasing, perfectionism, and burnout finally take up space, own their ambition, and build lives they love - without apology.

 

You’ll learn:

  • How to stop over-apologising, overworking, and over-preparing

  • The leadership skills women actually need - and how to develop them

  • Why setting boundaries isn’t selfish - it’s the key to becoming unfuckwithable

 

Perfect for: Women’s leadership conferences, professional development events, networking groups

Why book me

  • I keep it real – No fluffy “just be more confident” nonsense. I get into the real issues that hold women back and offer real solutions.

  • I bring the receipts – As an organisational psychologist and coach, everything I share is backed by research, experience, and practical strategies.

  • I make it fun – Sure, we talk about serious stuff. But I weave in humour, relatable stories, and a good dose of rebellion to keep things engaging.

  • I get results – My talks don’t just inspire temporary motivation - they spark lasting change for individuals and organisations.

DSC05660-Enhanced-NR.jpg

Next steps - let's make it happen

If you’re ready to shake things up, challenge the status quo, and empower women in your organisation, I’d love to speak at your next event.

What people say

Michelle delivered a bespoke workshop to the Newcastle University Women's Network in 2024, and to say it was a resounding success is an understatement.
Michelle scaffolded the workshop from her book - Good Girl Deprogramming, and how 'condtioning', which is systemic societal challenge, impacts on women in the workplace.
Challenges such as perfectionism, people pleasing, confidence, self-esteem, self-love, belonging are the impact of 'shoulds' that are conditioned. In the workshop, we explored what we could do about this and who our allies were in supporting the systemic change.
I have since left the University and set up my own business as a coach and consultant. Michelle's book is referenced and recommended on a regular basis.
In in fact have been there and literally bought the t-shirt so to speak, and continue to work on becoming the best version of Self.
We learn from the past, live in the present and create our future.

Angela Topping

bottom of page