Yasar Ahmad

Yasar Ahmad

Work isn’t a meritocracy and playing nice won’t get you promoted. I’m Yasar Ahmad, one of the world’s leading HR voices with over 15 years in the boardroom and 550,000+ professionals following my work. Each week, I cut through workplace noise with blunt truths, proven strategies, and unfiltered advice to help you earn more, influence faster, and build a career that actually pays off. If you’re tired of being underpaid, overlooked, or underestimated — this is your playbook to win at work.

Episodes

  1. MAR 9

    7 Frameworks to get people to say YES!

    🔗 Take the FREE 5-Minute Career Diagnostic: https://www.ovdlab.comIdentify the specific gaps holding you back in your career. The diagnostic assessment helps you pinpoint exactly where to focus — whether it is confidence, visibility, communication, relationships, or strategic positioning — so you can stop guessing and start growing with clarity. The most persuasive people almost never ask for what they want directly — and here's why. In this video, I'm breaking down 7 psychological frameworks used by top negotiators, leaders, and communicators to get people to say yes without ever feeling pressured. From the Harvard-backed "Because Framework" (which boosted compliance from 60% to 94%) to the Collaborative Frame that completely changed my career — these are the exact techniques that make requests feel like the other person's own idea. What you'll learn: The Assumed Close — how to remove "no" as an optionThe Because Framework — the one word that triggers automatic complianceFuture Pacing — making yes feel inevitable before you've even askedThe Contrast Principle — the negotiator's secret weaponThe Collaborative Frame — the phrase that changed everything for meThe Scarcity Statement — honest urgency that actually worksThe Reciprocity Opener — why the ask starts long before you askWhether you're heading into a salary negotiation, a tough meeting, or just trying to get a colleague to respond — this toolkit will change how you communicate.

    7 min
  2. MAR 7

    17 Years of Leadership Advice I wish I knew in my 20's (from a Global VP in $10B Company)

    17 Years of Leadership Advice in 21 Minutes | Global VP, $10B CompanyWhat does it actually take to lead at the highest levels of a global organisation? After 17 years in the trenches from managing people problems to sitting in the boardroom of a $10 billion company, I'm sharing everything I wish someone had told me earlier.In this video, I break down the 12 leadership lessons that shaped my career as a Global VP, covering the real, unglamorous truths that most leadership books leave out.Here's what we cover:Why parenting and leadership have more in common than you thinkHow to handle people problems before they spiralThe power of repetition (and why leaders underestimate it)Making decisions when you genuinely don't know the answerWhy letting go of control is the hardest, and most important, skill you'll developHow trust is earnt, not givenMastering context switching in a fast-moving organisationWhy clarity is your single greatest superpower as a leaderUsing storytelling to bring your team with youThe quiet power of staying calm under pressureWhy iteration beats perfection every timeHow to communicate in a way that actually landsWhether you're a first-time manager or a seasoned executive, these lessons apply at every level. No fluff, no theory, just hard-won experience distilled into 21 minutes.If this resonates, hit subscribe, I share honest, practical leadership content every week.#Leadership #LeadershipAdvice #Management #CareerGrowth #ExecutiveLeadership

    21 min
  3. FEB 13

    From Invisible to Influential in 18 Months (The Exact System That Worked)

    Most people think you need a promotion to become influential at work. You don't. You need a system.In this video, I break down the exact 5-step framework that took a mid-level project manager from completely invisible to influencing decisions three levels above her pay grade in just 18 months. No promotion. No longer hours. Just strategic, systematic influence-building backed by behavioural science.If you're tired of being overlooked, ignored in meetings, or waiting for someone to finally notice your competence—this is how you manufacture your own opportunities.WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:→ How to identify and dominate specific "influence territories" instead of trying to be visible everywhere (and burning out)→ The 4 campaign types you can run to systematically build credibility in your chosen domains→ Why visibility without strategy is just noise—and how to be strategically visible in high-leverage contexts→ How to build a coalition of sponsors and advocates who have a vested interest in your success→ The exact playbook to institutionalise your influence so it becomes structural, not personalThis isn't motivational fluff. This is the systematic approach I've used to advise C-suite executives across Amazon, Google, HelloFresh, and the NHS.RESOURCES TO ACCELERATE YOUR CAREER:📊 Find Out Where You Stand: Free Personal Visibility DiagnosticNot sure which of these 5 steps you need to focus on first? Take my free diagnostic assessment and get a personalised roadmap for building influence in your specific situation.👉 https://ovdlab.com/📚 My 6 Bestselling Career Strategy Ebooks (Complete Bundle)Deep-dive scripts on toxic workplaces, salary negotiation, office politics, workplace influence, and more. These aren't generic career books—they're tactical, research-backed playbooks for professionals who want real strategies, not motivational quotes.👉 https://shop.yasarahmad.com/products/ultimate-bestseller-bundle-all-6-books📥 20+ Free Workplace Guides & ScriptsReady-to-use scripts for difficult conversations, negotiation frameworks, boundary-setting templates, and more. Download the exact language and frameworks I've tested with thousands of professionals.👉 https://www.yasarahmad.com/downloads🎯 Get Hired in 72 Hours: Complete Job Search SystemIf you're looking to move roles (and leverage your new influence), this is the systematic approach to landing interviews and offers fast. No spray-and-pray applications. No waiting months for responses.👉 https://yasarahmad.samcart.com/products/get-hired-in-72-hours-the-complete-job-search-systemLET'S CONNECT:🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasarahmad/🌐 Website: https://www.yasarahmad.com📧 Business Enquiries: hello@yasarahmad.comIf this video helped you see influence differently, hit the like button and subscribe. It genuinely helps this content reach other professionals who are ready to stop being invisible.Which of the 5 steps are you currently strongest at? Let me know in the comments. 👇#CareerStrategy #WorkplaceInfluence #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment

    21 min
  4. FEB 13

    Being Nice Wont Save You At Work

    Stop Being "Nice" at Work - It's Destroying Your Career - I firmly believe someone needs to hear this: Stop being nice at work at the expense of being real.CONNECT WITH ME: 📱 Instagram: @yasarahmad_ 💼 LinkedIn: Yasar Ahmad 🌐 Website: www.yasarahmad.com 🎓 OVD Lab: www.ovdlab.com🎯 RESOURCES:Take the OVD Visibility Diagnostic (Find out your visibility score and where you're going wrong at work): 👉 www.ovdlab.comGet the Toxic Workplace E-book (The Ultimate Guide, Scripts and Hidden Rules to Toxic Workplaces): 👉 https://shop.yasarahmad.com/______After 15+ years in HR leadership working with Amazon, Google, Deloitte, and scaling HelloFresh from 6,000 to 25,000 employees, I've seen one pattern destroy more careers than anything else - people who are too "nice" get steamrolled.Here's the brutal truth: Only 10% of career progression comes from performance. 30% is image. And 60%? That's exposure. But when you're busy being nice, saying yes to everything, and avoiding difficult conversations, you're not building exposure - you're building resentment.In this video, I break down:Why "nice" gets you nowhere (and the science behind it)The critical difference between being nice vs being kind at workThe exact frameworks and phrases to set boundaries without being difficultHow to say "no" professionally without over-explainingThe "I need to be real with you" conversation starter that changes everythingThe competence-likeability trade-off is real. Research shows that assertiveness + competence = promotability. But agreeable people who are just "nice"? They stay stuck.You can be professional, respected, AND authentic. You just need to stop performing niceness and start practising kindness through honesty.ABOUT YASAR: I'm a 20+ award-winning Talent & Organisational Change leader, named #1 Most Influential Talent Leader in the World by Recruiter Magazine for 3 consecutive years. I've strategised for First Ministers, C-suite executives, and built a community of nearly 1 million professionals learning evidence-based career strategies.Founder of OVD Lab | Author of "Toxic Workplace" | Speaker at NHS, Amazon, Google, Deloitte, Spotify, Oracle & more.#careeradvice #workplacetips #professionaldevelopment #careergrowth #workplaceboundaries #leadershiptips #careersuccess #toxicworkplace #workplacestrategy #professionalgrowth #careerprogression #workplacecommunication #behaviouralscience #YasarAhmad #OVDLab📧 For business enquiries: hello@yasarahmad.comIf this video helped you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear this message. Let's build a community of professionals who succeed by being real, not just nice.What's one situation this week where you'll be real instead of nice? Drop it in the comments below. 👇

    15 min
  5. FEB 13

    20 Sentences That Will Change Your Life

    Most career advice tells you to "think positive" or "manifest success." The Stoics? They tell you the truth: you can't control what happens to you at work, but you can control how you respond to it.This isn't motivational fluff. These are 20 ancient principles from Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus—that directly apply to the chaos of modern work: anxiety before presentations, toxic colleagues, difficult stakeholders, missed promotions, and the constant pressure to perform.📊 Struggling with workplace toxicity or career stagnation?Take the OVD Diagnostic to identify exactly what's holding you back: www.ovdlab.com📖 Get the Toxic Workplace Survival Guide:Evidence-based strategies to protect your mental health and career trajectory: https://shop.yasarahmad.com/About this channel:I'm Yasar Ahmad—former corporate executive, with 15+ years working with companies like Amazon, Google, Deloitte, and the NHS. Named #1 Most Influential Talent Leader globally for three consecutive years. I translate HR insider knowledge and workplace behavioural science into actionable strategies for your career.This channel isn't about generic career advice. It's about understanding how workplace systems actually operate and using that knowledge strategically.Subscribe for weekly videos on:✓ Workplace psychology and behavioural science✓ Salary negotiation from an HR perspective✓ Office politics and influence-building✓ Toxic workplace survival strategies✓ Career advancement frameworks that actually work#stoicism #careeradvice #workplacetoxicity #professionaldevelopment #careergrowth #workplaceanxiety #leadership #marcusaurelius #seneca #workplaceculture #careerstrategy #officepoliticsLet's connect:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yasarahmad/Website: www.ovdlab.comThe Stoics understood something most modern career advisors miss: clarity and calm aren't about positive thinking—they're about accurate thinking. This video shows you how to apply that principle to the daily reality of your work.

    23 min
  6. 02/24/2025

    Leadership Redefined: Empathy, Culture & Growth with Dorit Schindler

    🎙️ Navigating Leadership at Scale | Dorit Schindler | Talent Community Podcast In this episode of the Talent Community Podcast, host Yasar Ahmad sits down with Dorit Schindler, Senior Vice President of People and Organization at Flix, to explore the complexities of leadership, fostering a strong company culture, and leading with empathy. 🌱 Dorit shares powerful insights on how reskilling, embracing a growth mindset, and making data-driven decisions are essential for effective talent management and personal development. Learn how continuous self-improvement and creating psychological safety can transform leadership and help teams thrive during times of change. 🚀 🔑 Top Takeaways: ✅ Leadership is about asking the right questions and listening deeply. ✅ Culture is shaped by tough decisions, not just slogans. ✅ Empathy and appreciation are critical, especially during transformation. ✅ Continuous learning and personal habits like exercise fuel leadership growth. ✅ Embrace change as an opportunity, not an obstacle.💡 “Culture is not just a poster; it's a decision made during tough times.” ✨ Don’t miss out on Dorit’s practical tips for stepping up in leadership and developing resilience in today’s fast-paced work environment!🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on HR strategies, leadership, and continuous learning! 👍 Like | 💬 Comment | 📢 Share#Leadership #CompanyCulture #Empathy #Reskilling #GrowthMindset #DataDrivenDecisions #ContinuousLearning #PersonalDevelopment #HRStrategies #TalentManagement

    10 min

About

Work isn’t a meritocracy and playing nice won’t get you promoted. I’m Yasar Ahmad, one of the world’s leading HR voices with over 15 years in the boardroom and 550,000+ professionals following my work. Each week, I cut through workplace noise with blunt truths, proven strategies, and unfiltered advice to help you earn more, influence faster, and build a career that actually pays off. If you’re tired of being underpaid, overlooked, or underestimated — this is your playbook to win at work.

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