Show Notes
Many leaders look at office politics and think, “I don’t want to become that person.” So they stay out of it — and it quietly kills their career.
In this episode, I’m reframing what office politics actually means for technology leaders.
Politics does not have to mean lying, posturing, taking credit, or manipulating people. That is toxic politics — and you should stay far away from it.
But healthy politics is different.
Most IT leaders who get passed over are not short on effort. They deliver, they lead, they put in the work.
The harder truth: the skills that made you the best operator are the same ones keeping you out of the executive seat. The business sees a technologist, not a leader. And no one ever explains how to change that.
That is the work I do. I help IT Directors and VPs make the jump to the executive level.
It starts with a short private diagnostic. It shows you which of the things holding you back is costing you the most, and where you stand against the leaders who already made the jump.
For the right fit, it opens into the Executive Leap Session:
A private 45-minute session, one on one with me I read your full diagnostic before we talk A straight read on where you actually stand The one or two things holding you back, specific to you The move that matters next
45 minutes with a former CIO, normally something leaders pay for. Take the diagnostic and find out where you stand.
Take the diagnostic → https://www.tingleleadership.com/
Healthy politics is relationships and trust applied at scale. It is understanding what people care about, making your work visible, building trust before you need something, finding sponsors, and giving credit loudly and often. I’ll share the story of a director who had strong results, real integrity, and one of the most reliable teams in the company — but kept watching people he considered more political and less capable move ahead of him. The breakthrough came when he realized he did not need to become someone else. He needed to become visible on his own terms.
In this episode, I’ll show you:
Why avoiding office politics can hurt your career The difference between toxic politics and healthy politics Why relationships and trust shape promotion decisions How to build visibility without bragging Why sponsors matter more than mentors How giving credit builds political capital How to build influence without losing your integrity If you’re a technology leader who delivers results but feels uncomfortable with politics, this episode will help you stop sitting on the sidelines and start building influence the right way.
You don’t have to become someone you’re not to be seen. But you do have to be seen.
Subscribe for more leadership strategy, executive presence, and career growth advice for technology leaders.
Timestamps
00:00 — “You’re valuable” may be the reason you’re stuck 00:15 — The person every company depends on 00:32 — Recognition can become containment 00:50 — The VP who wanted the CIO seat 01:05 — “We need you where you are” 01:26 — Executives promote leaders who make the building stand without them 01:47 — Executive Leap diagnostic mention 02:04 — Operational value vs leadership readiness 02:20 — Move 1: Build a successor 02:35 — Move 2: Delegate the technical work 02:54 — Move 3: Change what you’re known for 03:13 — This week’s leadership challenge 03:30 — Diagnostic and Executive Leap session 04:03 — The strategic conversation that could change your life 04:19 — Stop waiting for your work to speak for itself 04:25 — Closing and next episode
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