Office Politics, Unpacked | with Kris Verlé

Why Your Reputation For Being 'Reliable' Is Working Against You

Being called reliable, dependable, or a safe pair of hands sounds like a compliment. At senior level, it often isn't. In this episode, executive coach Kris Verlé explains why the reliable label creates a self-imposed glass ceiling, why so many senior managers are making it worse without realising it, and what you need to start doing differently to change how you're seen. It comes down to three things: visibility, conflict, and point of view. Each one is a gap in your record that decision-makers notice, even when they don't say so out loud. If you're a senior manager who works hard, delivers consistently, and still feels overlooked, this episode is for you. Office Politics, Unpacked covers the unwritten rules of organisational life that you won't find in a leadership manual. Hosted by Kris Verlé, executive coach and former political advisor and lobbyist.

Why Your Work Isn't Getting You Noticed At Senior Level (And What To Do About It)

You're delivering great work, your manager rates you, and yet somehow you're not the person getting invited to the conversations that matter. Or at least not as often as you'd expect at your level. In this episode, I explore why individual contributions become structurally harder to see as you progress in the corporate hierarchy, and why the most capable senior managers are often the least visible to the people who determine what happens next in their careers. Covered in this episode: * Why letting your work speak for itself stops working at senior level * The difference between a mentor and a sponsor, and why it matters * Three practical tactics for building visibility without self-promotion * How to develop a professional brand that travels beyond your job title * What to do if you suspect your manager is the barrier Hosted by Kris Verlé, executive coach and former political advisor. Office Politics, Unpacked is the podcast for senior managers and directors who are ready to close the gap between the work they do and the recognition they get for it. Sonnet 4.6 Extended

Managing A Difficult Boss: 4 Common Scenarios & What Actually Works

Is your boss making your job harder than it needs to be? This episode covers the four most common difficult boss situations and what to actually do about them. You'll learn how to handle: 02:01 - A boss who keeps changing their mind and moving the goalposts  03:59 - A manager who doesn't communicate and leaves you in the dark 05:33 - A boss who won't back you up or fight for resources 07:36 - A reporting relationship where the chemistry is just off For each scenario, you'll get the exact words to use, what success looks like, and how to know if it's fixable or time to plan your exit.  No generic "communicate better" advice - just practical strategies that work. Hosted by executive coach, Kris Verlé.

Imposter Syndrome In Meetings, What To Do Before, During and After

Imposter syndrome in meetings is usually a threat response rather than a reflection on your talents.  In this short episode, I share a practical protocol you can use before, during, and after any high-stakes meeting so you stop going quiet, over-explaining, or replaying the whole thing for hours afterwards.  You'll learn:  * A 90-second prep, where you decide on your function, and at least one contribution * What when you're in the meeting to label your thoughts and focus your attention outward again * What to do after the meeting to make sense of what happened This is a great episode for anyone who wants to show up with greater executive presence and authority in meetings.

Stop Rambling At Work: How To Speak Clearly And Sound More Senior

If you ramble at work or talk yourself into a circle when you’re under pressure, this episode will help.  You’ll learn why people stop listening when you overshare, how rambling quietly harms your professional reputation, and the simple tools that make you sound clearer, steadier, and more senior.  If you want people to take you seriously and pay attention when you speak, start here.  01:33 - Why we ramble 03:24 - How to tell you're rambling 04:54 - Why rambling is so bad for your career 07:03 - The antidote: good storytelling 11.41 - How to speak with real authority