Inspiring female employee embarrasses 'tall and loud' male boss by calling him out during team meeting: 'My coworker told our boss, "You're not intimidating"'

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Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Aug 1, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

Having that one coworker who inspires you can transform a workplace. Some people just glow. They bring a bright light to everywhere they go. And in the workplace, this kind of person can transform a team (or maybe just inspire a person or two). 

A lot of the time, this person doesn't even know the impact they're having. But even having a singular worker who starts saying "Why do we do it this way?" or "Wait, who's in charge of this project and why aren't they doing it?" or finding other ways to speak truth to power can really shift the whole workplace vibe. 

We don't always get the opportunity to thank the people who inspire us, but this person shared the story of what happened when a coworker stood up to the boss in a calm, cool, collected manner. Because of her choice of words, and her decision to speak up at all, she just made it so much easier for everyone else to chime in when they're feeling intimidated, too. 

Up next, read about some food service employees who had interesting days at work, like one person who shared that "Less than 10 minutes after opening, 30 clowns walked in." 

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  • 01

    "My coworker told our boss, “You’re not intimidating, you’re just tall and loud,” and I still think about it

    this happened a few months ago but it lives rent free in my head. our boss (he's 6'4 and LOVES to remind people) was kinda grilling one of my coworkers during a team meeting for a mistake that wasn't even really her fault. he kept raising his voice and getting all aggressive and she just... looked at him, completely calm, and goes:
    via u/JessyGlow
  • 02
    "you're not intimidating, you're just tall and loud." de d silence. then someone coughed. then the boss just muttered something and moved on. never brought it up again lol.
    via u/JessyGlow
  • 03
    honestly legend behavior. she still works here. she drinks her tea like nothing happened. i aspire.
    via u/JessyGlow
  • 04
    Cheezburger Image 10537214720
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 05

    A delightful workplace tale

    Iced Hemp77 My a would have been the one who laughed out loud because I tend to laugh when awkward or nervous moment happen
    via u/IcedHemp77
  • 06
    AcrobaticProgra... Boss isn't supposed to be intimidating. Boss supposed to lead and manage their workers to work well together and feel they are valued so they want to do their best knowing they want
    via u/AcrobaticProgram4752
  • 07
    to perform well because they respect the Boss because they're good to those who help them do a good job. Respect is a better motivation than quiet disdain.
    via u/AcrobaticProgram4752
  • 08
    m Reminds me of the old blues song that was popularized by Elvis. Big Boss Man. You ain't so big. You just tall, that's all
    via u/macrocephaloid
  • 09
    Cheezburger Image 10537214976
    via Batel Studio via Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 10
    CronkinOn I'm 6'3". What's the point in being taller than the rest of the peasants if you can't take it for granted?
    via u/CronkinOn
  • 11
    I couldn't imagine having to lord it over others or draw attention to it. That's like New Money behavior... Did this guy maybe get some back alley height implants or something? New to the game?
    via u/CronkinOn

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