"I just want to do my job. I hate playing politics."

If you have ever said that, you are already losing.

Politics isn't a dirty word - it is simply the art of relationships at scale. If you refuse to engage in it, you lose the influence required to protect your team and get your initiatives approved.

In this Live Q&A Session from the Growth Leaders Collective, we tackle the messy reality of human dynamics in the workplace. I answer real questions from leaders struggling with toxic bosses, bypassing subordinates, and the frustration of "managing up."

In this episode, you will learn:

-The "BLUF" Method: How to speak to a data-driven CEO (Logical Creator) when you are a storyteller (Visionary Influencer) so you actually get heard .

-The Narcissist Playbook: How to set calm boundaries with a gaslighting boss without making yourself a martyr .

-The "Bypassing" Fix: What to do when your direct reports go over your head to your boss (and how to move from "Expectation" to "Agreement" to stop it) .

-The Framing Technique: Why you should never ask for headcount because "we are tired," and how to frame it so the CFO begs you to hire them .

The Challenge for This Week: Identify one key stakeholder you struggle to influence (your boss, a peer, a board member).

1. Profile Them: What are they evaluated on? What drives them (Data? Relationships? Speed?)?
2. The Shift: In your next conversation, use the "What’s in it for them" frame. Do not talk about your needs; talk about how your request solves their problem.

Resources:

-Join the Conversation: Join our Leadership Mindset 2.0 community on LinkedIn or Facebook

-Get Live Coaching: Move from listening to doing inside the Growth Leaders Collective. Start your $1 trial at RMichaelAnderson.com/GLC