Show Notes
Office politics isn’t optional — it’s leadership. In this episode, I share a real story about creating influence inside a model government by using the press, building alliances, and shifting where power lived in the room. If you think office politics is dirty or beneath you, this conversation will challenge that belief. We break down: • What office politics really is • The difference between culture and politics • How to build coalitions strategically • Why networking (even for introverts) is essential • How to recognize where real power lives • When and how to take credit for your work If you’ve been stuck at the same level, avoiding politics while others advance, this episode will show you how to ride the wave instead of getting swallowed by it. You’re not stuck because you’re incapable. You’re stuck because you’ve been doing it alone.
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TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – I Made Up a Scandal (Here’s Why) 00:42 – How Power Shifted in the Room 01:03 – Leadership Assessment Invitation 01:41 – What Is Office Politics? 02:25 – Positive vs Negative Politics 03:10 – Culture vs Politics Explained 03:49 – Baptized by Fire in Office Politics 04:23 – Do You Have a Best Friend at Work? 04:54 – Why You Need Alliances 05:32 – My First Political Lesson in College 06:35 – Building an Alliance with the Pastor 07:16 – Using the Press to Manipulate the Situation 08:13 – Where the Real Power Lived 08:31 – Recognize Where Power Actually Is 09:11 – Networking Outside Your Organization 10:06 – Why Women Struggle to Take Credit 11:03 – Balancing Humility and Visibility 11:22 – Positive Political Behaviors to Master
#OfficePolitics #WomenInLeadership #CareerAdvancement #LeadershipSkills #Networking #CoalitionBuilding #ExecutivePresence #WorkplaceStrategy
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Microaggressions in the workplace can damage confidence, culture, and leadership presence — especially when they go unchecked. In this final episode of the microaggressions series, we discuss practical strategies for responding to workplace microaggressions as: • the person experiencing them • the person unintentionally causing them • the leader responsible for workplace culture I share real examples from my leadership career, including how I responded calmly when someone publicly tried to diminish me during a meeting, how email tone can unintentionally create harm, and why leaders must understand context before responding. In this episode: • How to respond to microaggressions at work • Why calm responses are powerful • How to avoid escalating workplace conflict • Email communication mistakes leaders make • Why intent and impact are different • How leaders can educate teams about microaggressions • Workplace politics and subtle power dynamics You’re not stuck because you’re incapable. You’re stuck because you’ve been doing it alone. #Microaggressions #LeadershipSkills #WorkplaceCulture #WomenInLeadership #ExecutivePresence #OfficePolitics #CareerGrowth #InclusiveLeadership