Good Girl Deprogramming Workshop – with Michelle Minnikin
Are you done with burnout, perfectionism and constantly proving yourself? Ever felt like you’re doing everything right but still feel like it’s not enough? You’re not alone - and you’re not the problem.
Join organisational psychologist and author Michelle Minnikin for this powerful, interactive workshop. It will unpack the invisible expectations that drive:
- people-pleasing
- over-functioning
- self-silencing
These are particularly present in high-achieving environments like business schools.
Together, we’ll explore:
- The hidden pressures behind burnout and imposter feelings
- Why ‘Good Girl’ rules are still shaping how we study, lead and show up
- How to shift from performance to real leadership - without guilt
- What it looks like to define success on your own terms
Expect humour, honesty, “aha” moments - and practical takeaways you can apply immediately.
This workshop is designed to help you show up with more confidence, boundaries and authenticity. Whether you’re a student, academic, professional services team member or aspiring leader, you can benefit.
This is not your typical workshop. It’s a wake-up call. Come for the insight, stay for the transformation.
Overview
This 60-minute interactive workshop introduces the concept of “Good Girl Conditioning”. This is a subtle but powerful form of social and psychological programming. It encourages compliance, overwork, and perfectionism, especially among:
- women
- neurodivergent individuals
- marginalised groups
The session draws on evidence from organisational psychology, as well as Michelle's lived experience. It explores how internalised norms impact confidence, communication, wellbeing and leadership. It also examines how to begin deprogramming from these patterns.
Participants will explore:
- Why high-achieving students and professionals struggle with burnout, people-pleasing and fear of failure
- How gendered and cultural expectations show up in learning and working environments
- The costs of “performing” leadership versus embodying it authentically
- Practical shifts to foster autonomy, self-trust and aligned decision-making
About Michelle Minnikin
Michelle Minnikin is a Chartered Organisational Psychologist. She is a coach, speaker, and author of Good Girl Deprogramming. She’s also Co-Founder of The Deprogramming Company.
Michelle helps (mostly) women unlearn people-pleasing and perfectionism, reclaim their voice, and lead like themselves. Based in Durham, She works globally to support radically authentic, powerfully messy leadership (there are other versions here).
