Michelle Minnikin
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 on a mission to help women break free from societal conditioning, step into their power, and lead with confidence.
I know firsthand what it’s like to play by the rules and still feel stuck. I spent years overworking, over-apologising, and bending over backwards to be the “perfect” leader, colleague, and friend. But here’s the truth: women aren’t the problem - the system is.
Through my talks, workshops, and coaching, I help women and organisations unlearn limiting beliefs, challenge outdated workplace norms, and create environments where women can thrive.
If you’re looking for a speaker who will educate, inspire, and (gently) call out the BS, you’re in the right place.
My Talks
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
.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.
