The Truth Deserves Strategy, Not Just Courage with Keesha Jean-Baptiste

Your Authenticity Needs Armor

Navigating workplace trust is one of those career lessons nobody actually teaches you — and in this episode of How to Survive Your Boss, Rajni Dhanjani drops the kind of real, hard-earned wisdom that only comes from years of battle scars across startups, corporate environments, creative agencies, and everything in between. From growing up in a cultural household that didn't quite match the room she walked into at her very first job, to managing toxic bosses, office politics, and the fine line between work bestie and professional liability — Rajni gets into all of it. She and hosts Kiana and Tara unpack why blindly trusting your coworkers (or your company) is one of the most costly early-career mistakes you can make, how to build a "professional persona" that protects you without killing your authentic self, and why being a human at work — not just an employee — is the single most underrated career skill. Whether you're fresh out of school, climbing the corporate ladder, or rebuilding after getting burned, this episode is exactly the conversation you didn't know you needed. Key Takeaways: * 🚨 Don't trust blindly — but don't go full cynic either. There's a difference between selective trust and walking into the office assuming everyone is out to get you. Find the middle ground. * 🪞 You are a human first, an employee second. It took an entire MBA class 10 minutes to answer "what are you when you walk into work?" — and someone finally said a human. Don't forget that. * 🎭 Build your professional persona. Your persona isn't fake — it's your authentic self with just enough protective distance. Think of it as your armor and your sparkle at the same time. * 👀 Observe before you trust. People tell you who they are through their behavior, their talking points, and how they treat others. Pay attention before you open up. * 🤫 Be careful who you vent to at work. If someone gossips with you, they'll gossip about you. There are no different rules for the workplace than there are for life. * 💡 Be intentional about your workplace relationships. Don't rely on natural social instincts — work relationships require deliberate strategy, especially when promotions and visibility are on the line. * 🧠 Bring your spidey senses to work. The same instincts you use to fact-check Instagram content or spot a red flag in dating? Use those at the office too. * 🧭 Know your environment before you trust it. Company culture, regional culture, leadership style, and team dynamics all change what's appropriate — read the room, always. * 📣 How you pitch an idea matters as much as the idea itself. "This is stupid" closes doors. "Help me understand this, because I think there might be another way" opens them. 💪 Don't lose yourself — even when it gets really bad. Getting burned doesn't mean you give up on who you are. Your career is yours. You have every right to be there. TIMESTAMPS: 0:30 — Intro & guest welcome 2:34 — "Don't trust too easily" — Rajni's #1 career advice 4:06 — Don't go full cynical; keep your humanity 6:02 — You're a human at work, not just an employee 13:55 — Reading the room: spotting red flags in people 17:51 — Corporate vs. agency cultures — different animals 20:00 — Slack is not your friend; assume everything is monitored 25:19 — The "work bestie" trap and trauma bonding 26:35 — Specific story: gossiping with a coworker backfires 28:00 — Company culture reflects leadership character 37:55 — Don't bring your emotional needs to work 45:11 — School dynamics vs. workplace dynamics 56:41 — How to navigate trust with your boss 59:10 — Finding your "persona" — the balance between authentic and strategic 1:01:09 — Being intentional with workplace relationships 1:03:44 — Rajni's socials & wrap-up 1:07:32 — Top 5 takeaways from the episode

Well-Traveled, Well-Respected. Leadership on the Road with Kristine Young

What does it actually look like to build a career without borders — and still thrive? In this episode, Kiana sits down with Kristine Young, an OG digital nomad and global marketing executive who has lived and worked across 8+ countries, from Russia to Hong Kong to South America, long before remote work was even a buzzword. Kristine gets real about ditching pre-med at Berkeley, ignoring the naysayers (including her own parents), and chasing a life that felt fully hers. She breaks down how she built a powerhouse career at brands like Adidas and Levi's while moving across continents, how to get credit for your work when you're not in the room, and why your network is only as strong as the real friendships behind it. Whether you're dreaming of working abroad, going remote, or just trying to stop living someone else's life plan — this one's for you. Key Takeaways: * ✈️ How Kristine went from pre-med at Berkeley to working across 8+ countries with zero blueprint * 🌍 Why choosing a globally-relevant career (like marketing) makes the nomadic lifestyle a strength, not a liability * 🧠 The mindset shift that made her walk away from med school — and why she has zero regrets * 🏢 How to stay high-performing and respected at work even when you're remote or halfway around the world * 📣 The real way to get credit for your work (hint: it's not just working hard in silence) * 🤝 Why your colleagues become your best career currency — and how friendships, not just contacts, land you your next role * 🌐 The non-negotiable traits you need to thrive in international business: flexibility, adaptability, and clear communication * 📅 Small but powerful ways to show cultural respect that make you the easiest person in the room to work with * 🗺️ What it was really like working for Adidas across 14 Asia-Pacific markets — Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing Olympics and all * 💡 Why you don't have to choose between your career and the life you actually want to live Timestamps: 0:00 Intro & guest introduction 3:39 How Kristine got started — medicine to travel 4:43 First international trip to Peru 5:17 Working & living in Russia 6:51 Quitting medicine & moving to South America 13:24 Building your personal brand & reputation 15:08 Self-promotion & getting credit at work 21:00 Networking — knowing people is key 22:02 The Adidas story — coffee to job offer in Hong Kong 26:16 Building a network early in your career 30:01 Maintaining your network over time 32:37 Key traits for international business 44:08 Adulting as a nomad — healthcare, taxes, laundry 53:36 Favorite country — Hong Kong & APAC marketing at Adidas 57:23 Wrap-up & call to action

Winning in Big Orgs Without Being the Loudest with Jasper Seldin

In this episode, Kiana and Tara sit down with former Google and Amazon manager Jasper Seldin to crack the code on workplace success. Drawing from over a decade of experience in big tech and people leadership, Jasper shares actionable strategies for navigating office politics, managing difficult bosses, and accelerating your career. They discuss how to identify a rational manager, why your boss's boss is the most important person to impress, and how to advocate for your work so effectively that others promote it for you. Whether you're feeling stuck, misunderstood, or just ready to level up, this conversation is packed with tactical advice for working smarter and building a career that thrives. Key Takeaways: 🎯 Reframe your manager as a human ally, not a corporate obstacle. Success comes from aligning your work with their goals. 📈 Master the art of the 2–3 sentence "win." Package your accomplishments so clearly that your boss can't help but share them upward. ⚠️ Learn to spot an irrational manager—poor communication, disorganization, misplaced priorities—and develop a plan before it derails your growth. 🫅 Your real job is to make your manager look good to their boss. Always tie your work to the organization's top-tier objectives. 🔒 Audit your social media like a hiring manager would. Your digital footprint can be the difference between a promotion and a pink slip. Timestamps: 0:31 Intro & Jasper's background 4:50 Core advice: See your boss as human & align with their goals 7:47 Rational vs. irrational managers 16:33 What the boss's boss cares about & how to align 19:08 Advocating for yourself: situation-behavior-impact format 24:51 Specialize early & balance menial vs. strategic work 28:17 Why the boss's boss strategy works (even for introverts) 36:27 Work-life balance & finding purpose beyond the grind 43:35 Social media & career risk 54:13 Tech overhiring & STAR interview format

The Truth Deserves Strategy, Not Just Courage with Keesha Jean-Baptiste

In this episode of "How to Survive Your Boss," Kiana and Tara welcome Keesha Jean-Baptiste, a seasoned HR and leadership expert with a unique background in marketing and talent management. Keesha shares hard-earned wisdom on navigating workplace politics, truth-telling, and compassionate leadership. Drawing from her extensive career—from agency HR roles to founding her own company—she offers practical advice on managing up, understanding organizational dynamics, and fostering healthier work environments. 🔍 Key Takeaways: 😶 Truth-telling isn’t always welcome – Not every leader is ready to hear unfiltered feedback. Understanding their priorities, pressures, and political landscape is key before sharing hard truths. 🫂 Build political capital through relationships – Influence in the workplace often depends on trust, rapport, and perceived value—not just on being right. 🎭 HR carries a stigma – Many see HR as protecting the company, not the people. Breaking that perception requires consistent advocacy, empathy, and human-centered actions. 🧠 Actions reveal intent – Watch what leaders do, not just what they say. Patterns of behavior show whether someone is operating with integrity and compassion—or just performing. 🐾 Share your truth safely – If you can’t speak up at work, confide in a trusted friend, pet, or even an AI chatbot. Getting it out is important for your mental health. 💬 Feedback framing matters – When voicing concerns, position them as collaborative problem-solving rather than criticism. Example: “Here’s a challenge I see—what’s your take on how we might approach it?” ❤️ Compassionate leadership transforms culture – Keesha now teaches compassionate leadership, emphasizing that workplaces should enable people to come home with good news—not just stress and frustration. 🛡️ Job hugging is real – In today’s economy, many employees are clinging to their roles despite poor treatment, making it even harder to speak up or leave toxic environments. 📚 HR is more than hiring & firing – It encompasses People (well-being, experience), Talent (skills, growth), and Culture (environment, behavior)—all vital to organizational health. Keesha also introduces her Compassionate Leadership Certification program, designed to help leaders and teams foster more supportive, human-centered workplaces. If you’re struggling with a difficult boss, navigating office politics, or just trying to share your truth without backlash—this episode is for you. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Introduction and guest welcome 00:33 – Keesha’s career journey: from marketing to HR leadership 05:01 – The hard lesson: Not every leader wants to hear the truth 07:45 – The role of political capital and relationship currency at work 10:48 – How to tell if a leader is using information for good or bad 13:41 – Fragile egos, psychological safety, and giving/receiving feedback 18:57 – Personal story: A truth-telling failure with a new manager 22:46 – The HR stigma: Being seen as a label, not a person 27:24 – Flipping the script: Why bosses struggle with truth 30:11 – The true, expanded role of HR: People, Talent, and Culture 36:02 – The humanity problem in HR scripts and layoffs 40:26 – “Job Hugging” in a tough economy vs. the “Great Resignation” 43:24 – Should you still speak your truth? How and where to share safely 49:35 – A powerful leadership model: “Come home with good news” 51:11 – Introducing the Compassionate Leadership Certification

Conflict Is Inevitable. Chaos Is Optional. Respect is key with Lisa Pomerantz

Ever dealt with simmering team drama, clashing egos with your boss, or department wars that kill productivity? Kiana and Tara sit down with Lisa Pomerantz—a powerhouse lawyer, mom, golfer, and mediation expert from Colorado—who has navigated litigation, in-house counsel roles, and now runs her own business helping people resolve workplace conflicts. Lisa breaks down what mediators really do (hint: it’s not just lawyer stuff), identifies sneaky conflict triggers like unclear roles or misaligned incentives, and shares compelling stories from medical practices and beyond where she transformed resentment into teamwork. Perfect for anyone searching “workplace conflict resolution,” “how to mediate at work,” “survive a toxic boss,” or “team mediation tips”—tune in to learn practical strategies for smarter confrontations, empathetic feedback, and navigating the double standards women face in high-stakes workplaces. Key Takeaways 🧠 Spot conflict roots: Unclear roles, clashing incentives, or management blind spots fuel most workplace issues—dig deeper before reacting. ⚖️ Mediation magic: Neutral professionals like mediators or ombuds facilitate conversations, uncover hidden issues, and create collaborative agreements for teams. 👥 Shift perspectives: Step into others’ shoes—empathy tools can turn resentment into collaboration, as seen in Lisa’s multicultural medical team turnaround. 💬 Feedback finesse: Frame critiques as shared goals (“We both want this done right”), allow graceful exits, and pause to respond thoughtfully instead of reacting emotionally. 🚀 Boss battle strategies: Reframe conflicts as shared problems; if toxicity continues, it may be time to polish your résumé—protecting your peace beats constant stress. 👩‍💼 Women at work: With narrower margins for error, lean into strengths like advocacy and negotiation; push for company-wide training to level the playing field. 🛡️ Proactive peace: Don’t avoid conflict—address it early with respectful communication or involve EAPs/ombuds before small issues escalate.