Speaking up at work is hard enough as it is, but when you feel like the odd one out, advocating for yourself becomes even harder. How do you tell your boss when they're making you uncomfortable or doing something that undermines your performance? The secret is simpler than you think.

Catt Small is a staff product designer, game maker and developer. She's worked with companies including Asana, Etsy, and SoundCloud. She also makes video games, draws art, and is the Executive Director for the Game Devs of Color Expo.

(00:00) A Culture of Excess
(04:05) Proving Yourself in Unfamiliar Territory
(06:32) Navigating Cultural Differences at Work
(13:14) “This Job is Going to Kill Me”
(20:16) From Defensive to Effective Communication
(24:03) Speaking Up Without Burning Bridges
(28:44) Creating Inclusive Team Cultures
(31:35) Finding Your Voice in Toxic Environments

Follow Catt on Bluesky, read her writing at cattsmall.com, and check out her course, “Staff Designer: Influence & Lead as an Individual Contributor” on Maven.

See also:

Radical Candor by Kim Scott
The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Diana Chapman, Kaley Klemp, and Jim Dethmer
Game Devs of Color Expo Sept. 16-19, 2025

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Work Face is produced by Hear Me Out, a culture strategy firm for leaders with the courage to listen. We help them cultivate trust by having real conversations with employees at all levels about what’s working and what’s not.

Learn more at hearmeout.co and follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, and LinkedIn.