Office Politics, Unpacked | with Kris Verlé

Kris Verlé
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'Office politics' carries an unfair reputation. Most professionals treat it as something they should rise above rather than something they should be getting good at. The irony is that those who understand it well have an almost unfair advantage over those who don't. Closing that gap is what this podcast is about. Each episode covers topics such as building influence, managing your visibility, positioning yourself, and communicating with authority.  You can expect practical advice aimed specifically at senior managers and directors who want to get better at navigating organisational dynamics on their own terms. Host Kris Verlé spent fifteen years as a professional political advisor and lobbyist before becoming an executive coach more than a decade ago and founding Altitude Shift Coaching. New episodes every month. Find out more about Kris' executive coaching at https://altitude-shift.com or get in touch at kris@altitude-shift.com New episodes every month. Find out more at https://altitude-shift.com or get in touch at kris@altitude-shift.com

  1. May 4

    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.

    13 min

  2. Apr 3

    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 levelThe difference between a mentor and a sponsor, and why it mattersThree practical tactics for building visibility without self-promotionHow to develop a professional brand that travels beyond your job titleWhat to do if you suspect your manager is the barrierHosted 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

    15 min

  3. Mar 2

    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.

    12 min

  4. Jan 29

    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 contributionWhat when you're in the meeting to label your thoughts and focus your attention outward againWhat to do after the meeting to make sense of what happenedThis is a great episode for anyone who wants to show up with greater executive presence and authority in meetings.

    12 min

  5. 11/28/2025

    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

    13 min

  6. 10/30/2025

    How To Get Better At Small Talk (Without Feeling Fake)

    Hate small talk? You’re not alone.  But when done right, it’s one of the quickest ways to build trust, warmth, and credibility at work.  In this episode, I break down the psychology of small talk, what it really is, why it matters more than you think, and how to make it feel natural instead of forced.  Learn how to steady your nerves, read the room, and connect with people in a way that feels confident, human, and real.   00:00 – love it or hate it 01:26 –  What small talk really is 03:28 – How to ground yourself before engaging in small talk 05:05 – When small talk goes wrong * Overthinking it  * Not reading the room * Going on for too long * Trying to be too professional  11:08  – The importance of courage

    13 min

  7. 09/29/2025

    Strategic Networking: How To Build Meaningful Relationships At Work

    Hate networking? You’re not alone.  In this episode of Altitude Shift, I break down why most professionals get networking wrong and how to reframe it into authentic relationship-building.  You'll learn the five strategic principles to grow visibility and access, overcome the fear of rejection, and connect with senior leaders without feeling slimy or transactional. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:37 Psychological roadblocks 04:03 Five strategic principles 08:39 Visibility vs access 10:57 How to approach senior leaders 13:55 People smell intent

    17 min

  8. 08/28/2025

    Straightforwardness: How to Be Direct Without Being Mean

    Most of us struggle with balance in tough conversations. Either we soften our words so much that the message becomes lost, or we come across as blunt and leave people feeling hurt.  Radical Candour, a framework made famous by Kim Scott, offers a better path: being clear and direct while still showing you care.  In this episode, I’ll unpack why straightforwardness is such a critical (and often ignored) leadership skill. I’ll look at the Radical Candour model, explore why most of us get stuck in “ruinous empathy,” and share practical ways to speak up with courage, self-control, and respect.  If you want to give feedback without being mean, strengthen trust, and build the kind of authority people actually want to follow, this episode is for you.

    16 min
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About

'Office politics' carries an unfair reputation. Most professionals treat it as something they should rise above rather than something they should be getting good at. The irony is that those who understand it well have an almost unfair advantage over those who don't. Closing that gap is what this podcast is about. Each episode covers topics such as building influence, managing your visibility, positioning yourself, and communicating with authority.  You can expect practical advice aimed specifically at senior managers and directors who want to get better at navigating organisational dynamics on their own terms. Host Kris Verlé spent fifteen years as a professional political advisor and lobbyist before becoming an executive coach more than a decade ago and founding Altitude Shift Coaching. New episodes every month. Find out more about Kris' executive coaching at https://altitude-shift.com or get in touch at kris@altitude-shift.com New episodes every month. Find out more at https://altitude-shift.com or get in touch at kris@altitude-shift.com

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