#3 | How the Hidden Club at Work Is Already Deciding Your Promotion and What Every Leader Needs to Know.

Ever had that sinking feeling that the real meeting happened before the meeting? Or that someone less capable got the nod while you’re still “being patient”?Welcome to The Club; no badges, no invites, just power.In this episode of Little Moves, Big Careers, Caroline Esterson lifts the velvet rope on how influence really works at work. You’ll learn how unspoken rules, subtle loyalties, and quiet confidence shape who gets picked, praised, and promoted; and how to stop waiting for permission to join.You’ll discover:Why effort doesn’t equal visibility (and what does)The neuroscience of exclusion — and why it literally hurts to be left out How to spot informal power patterns and play smarter, not louder Why The Club isn’t always evil — it’s often emotional Three bold-but-doable moves to get noticed without faking itInside the episode: Are YOU in The Club?  Take the cheeky, too-close-to-home quiz Real or Rubbish? Decode whether that weird workplace moment is Club Code or just corporate chaos What Would Caro Do?  A listener from Preston is done being overlooked.  Quickfire Career Moves: 3 fast shifts to move from helpful to highly strategic Career Quote Crime: “If you work hard, you’ll be recognised.” Nope. You’ll be tired. Caro serves the smarter truth.This episode exposes the unspoken rulebook of modern careers and helps you rewrite it with intention, clarity, and a bit of sass.RESOURCESBold Moves BriefBig Conversation Guide - ask your team (safely) how you can show up better for them.Informal Influence MapperConnect with Caroline hereNew episodes are released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings.Stuck, simmering, or onto something juicy? I want to hear it. Drop me a line at [email protected] - I read them all.And here is the Spotify Playlist to accompany UnShakeable Her.Unshakeable Her is the podcast for women in leadership who are ready to build real influence, earn the promotion they deserve, and lead with confidence in systems that weren't built for them. Each episode tackles the challenges that shape leadership from the inside out, including imposter syndrome, resilience, credibility, boundaries, conflict, and feedback, while unpacking how pressure, workplace politics, strategic thinking, decision-making, and visibility affect the way ambitious women grow, lead, and get promoted without losing themselves in the process.