Office Politics, Unpacked | with Kris Verlé

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.

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 4.6Extended

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 dark05:33 - A boss who won't back you up or fight for resources07:36 - A reporting relationship where the chemistry is just offFor 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 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. 

 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 ramble03:24 - How to tell you're rambling04:54 - Why rambling is so bad for your career07:03 - The antidote: good storytelling11.41 - How to speak with real authority

 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 it01:26 –  What small talk really is03:28 – How to ground yourself before engaging in small talk05:05 – 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

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 Intro01:37 Psychological roadblocks04:03 Five strategic principles08:39 Visibility vs access10:57 How to approach senior leaders13:55 People smell intent

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. 

What do you do when your personal life is in crisis, but you're still expected to lead, show up, and get things done at work?In this episode of Altitude Shift, I explore how to stay steady, clear-headed, and functional when you're dealing with grief, illness, heartbreak, or any personal crisis that spills into your professional life.You’ll learn:What happens in your brain during a personal crisis (and why focus feels impossible)How to protect your energy, presence, and emotional authority at workPractical strategies for founders, freelancers, and leaders under pressureWhat to do when someone else on your team is quietly strugglingIf you’re trying to hold it together on Zoom while quietly falling apart inside, this episode is for you.And if you’re not in crisis right now, listen anyway. Because life has a way of showing up uninvited.00:00 Intro 02:25 What a personal crisis does to your brain04:52 Before you re-enter07:02 How to stay functional at work 07:16 Control the flow of information09:04  Redefine performance 10:46 Build containment and recovery systems 12:48 Ask for specific, contained support 14:05. Re-enter gradually 15:40 Supporting someone else through a crisis17:52: Don’t let a crisis go to waste

 Do you often find yourself keeping the peace at work by keeping quiet? Saying yes when you’re already overloaded? Feeling responsible for how everyone else feels? In this episode, I unpack the psychology behind people-pleasing, why it drains your influence and energy, and how to start interrupting the habit, but without turning into a boundary robot. This is real talk for recovering good guys (and gals) who want to lead with clarity, steadiness, and presence. 00:00: Are you a pleaser? 01:42:   Pleasing doesn't equal kindness03:35: The 4th stress response: fawning04:58: Where did this all start?06:55 What pleasing is costing you07:51: How to spot when you're pleasing10:07: How to interrupt the pattern12:15: 5 ways to switch off your pleasing auto-pilot15:58: Conclusion: the shift that changes everything

Why do some things at work hit harder than they should? A comment, a tone, a missed cue — and suddenly, you’re overreacting, spiralling, or shutting down.In this episode of Altitude Shift, executive coach Kris Verle unpacks what’s really happening when you feel triggered at work — and why your reactions can feel so outsized. We talk about what’s going on in your brain, what old emotional patterns might be getting stirred, and how to stay calm when someone pushes your buttons (or picks the scab of an old wound).You’ll walk away with science-backed strategies to stay composed in heated moments, communicate without blame, and lead with more emotional authority — even when the heat is rising around you.00:00 - We all get triggered01:40 - What happens inside the brain06:21 - Rapid reset and regulate yourself first11:41 - Should I say something in the moment? 14:01 - What if you’re the trigger?17:44 - What you do next matters

Made a bad call at work?This episode unpacks how to recover from professional missteps that quietly damage your credibility, and how to rebuild trust without spinning into shame or overexplanation. Learn how to steady yourself, take ownership, and move on with more confidence.03:00 - What your brain does when you slip05:02 - Step 1: Reframing07:19 - Step 2: Who else needs to hear from you09:04 - Step 3: Re-establishing your presence11:52 - Step 4: Builing self-trust again16:40 - Conclusion: silver linings

Ever delivered great work and got... nothing? Or received vague feedback that stuck in your head for days?In this episode, I explore why rumination occurs, especially in high-achievers, and how it differs from everyday overthinking. You’ll get practical ways to break the loop, regain focus again at work, and get out of your own head.00:00 – Disappointment kills careers faster than failure01:25 – The Fire Phone flop (and what it teaches us)03:00 – Why disappointment hurts so much05.46 – How to prevent disappointment in the first place08:53 – What to do if you're already feeling disappointed10:14 – Rumination: the gift that keeps giving12:14 – Four brain resets to recover from disappointment15:55 – Conclusion

Ever feel like you’re not as competent as people think you are — and it’s only a matter of time before they find out? You’re not alone. Imposter syndrome affects even the most experienced professionals, especially high achievers in leadership roles.In this episode, I explore why imposter syndrome happens, why it’s more common than you think, and how success can actually make those feelings worse. We’ll also look at:Why high performers are most at riskThe “comparison trap” in ambitious workplacesPractical mindset shifts to manage self-doubtIf this resonates, hit follow or share it with someone who also needs to hear it.