On Dunking and Amygdala Hijacks

Yesterday, on X, the COO of VC-backed SaaS firm “Radley” gave us a masterclass in what not to do as a leader.

After discovering the head of sales from rival “Dill” browsing their sales assets and leaving profanity in a web chat, the COO escalated by posting a public screenshot—including personal info.

This reaction wasn’t strategic; it was emotional—an amygdala hijack in action. Instead of staying professional, they broadcast their anger, damaging their credibility, and exposing Radley to scrutiny.

A sales leader would have handled this differently. Instead of making a public spectacle, they might have refined internal processes, flagged the behavior with Dill’s leadership, or used it as a competitive edge. Calm, strategic responses win when you sell.

And what if Dill’s sales lead wanted this reaction? The profanity feels deliberate, as though designed to provoke. By taking the bait, Radley’s COO handed Dill the chance to play the underdog while exposing Radley’s flaws.

The takeaway? In leadership, cool heads aren’t just better for optics—they’re essential for protecting your position. Whether the provocation is intentional or not, reacting emotionally can cost far more than it’s worth.