When You're Too Scared to Disappoint People at Work
We Teach People How to Treat Us
Ever wonder why saying yes to everything makes people respect you less?
Zara said yes to everything.
Urgent projects with unrealistic deadlines? Yes.
Last-minute asks derailing her priorities? Yes.
Commitments sacrificing evenings and weekends? Yes.
She believed this responsiveness made her valuable.
Instead, it made her exhausted—and less respected.
Does this sound familiar?
The Pattern That Wasn't Working
Through our coaching sessions, Zara discovered something powerful.
She didn't need to answer immediately.
She could create space between request and response.
I asked her to practice one simple phrase: "Can I think about it and come back to you?"
What Happened When She Actually Said No
Sometimes when she came back, her answer was no.
It was:"I don't have the time." "I don't have the resources."
She braced for fallout.
Instead?
She ultimately felt calm.
The Peace She Didn't Expect
Zara felt grounded.
She could disappoint people and survive it.
Her boss started giving her more respect.
But the bigger shift was internal.
She felt resourceful, not depleted.
As Zara reflected: "It's like he sees me valuing myself now when I'm with colleagues. He's giving me more respect than ever."
Unlike AI advice that gives generic boundary scripts, coaching creates space for you to discover your own approach.
Zara found her own phrases, practiced, and owned the results.
Ready to set boundaries that actually stick and drive your goals forward?
Email me at suzanne@doylemorris.com for a complimentary chemistry call.
We'll explore your biggest challenge and whether a 12-month coaching partnership makes sense for you.
Most of my clients are employer-funded.
Yes, your company will likely pay for this and I can help you through that goal.
Learn more: www.suzannedoylemorris.com
About Dr. Suzanne Doyle-Morris
Dr. Suzanne Doyle-Morris is an ICF Master Certified Coach (MCC) with a PhD from the University of Cambridge focusing on women in Engineering.
For 25 years, she's coached accomplished women in STEM as they advance to senior leadership.
She's the author of three books: "Beyond the Boys' Club: Strategies for Achieving Career Success as a Woman Working in a Male Dominated Field," "The Con Job: Getting Ahead for Competence in a World Obsessed with Confidence," and "Female Breadwinners: How They Make Relationships Work and Why they are Future of the Modern Workforce."
80% of her clients secure promotions or stretch roles within 12 months.
Not because she gives advice, but because she asks the right questions.
Welcome to my Blog
I'm Dr Suzanne Doyle‑Morris and I support professional women working in STEM.
Whether you’re seeking your next promotion, aiming for leadership, or simply looking to make your mark, this blog is created for you.
It's written for the ambitious woman in STEM ready to advance and succeed on her own terms.
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The Women in Tech Promotion Playbook
Your roadmap to advancement with balance
The Women in Tech Promotion Playbook is a practical, evidence-based guide designed for ambitious women in STEM who want to advance their careers without burning out. Drawing on over 25 years of coaching and research, I outline five strategic steps that help women move from being overworked and under recognised to confident, visible leaders.
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