If there’s one lesson from the corporate world that deserves a headline, it’s this: the workplace is not a meritocracy. Or at least, not in the way most professionals imagine. Hard work is necessary, but it’s not the defining factor in who gets promoted, who receives stretch opportunities, or who survives the next round of cost-cutting.

In this episode, I spoke with Kendall Berg, former senior executive turned career coach and author of Secrets of the Career Game. We explored how professionals, especially those at mid to senior levels, are stalling not because of performance but because of invisibility. They’re delivering outcomes, checking boxes, staying loyal, but failing to cultivate the relationships and influence that truly drive advancement. Berg’s following on social media channels amounts to over 500,000, indicating that her message about what actually gets you promoted resonates with many people.

Berg’s career turning point came when a senior leader told her: “Everyone wants you on their team because you're so efficient, and nobody likes working with you.” That moment, which she recounts without bitterness, shattered the myth that excellent work alone was enough to earn the next title. It was, as she puts it, the moment she realized she’d been playing a game she didn’t know existed.

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Timestamps to guide your listening:

• 00:00 The Game of Career Advancement
• 05:27 Navigating Feedback and Growth
• 08:37 The Importance of Relationships in Career
• 11:36 Learning from Mentorship and Coaching
• 14:31 Building a Growth Mindset
• 17:32 The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership
• 20:34 Career Choices and Personal Values
• 23:23 Empowerment and Control in Your Career
• 32:44 Empowerment Through Career Choices
• 35:02 Taking Control of Your Career
• 41:00 Building Authentic Connections
• 46:35 The Balance of Likeability and Trust
• 53:45 Actionable Steps for Career Advancement

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Purchase Kendall's book

About the host, Renata Bernarde

Hello, I'm Renata Bernarde, the Host of The Job Hunting Podcast. I'm also an executive coach, job-hunting expert, and career strategist. I teach corporate, non-profit, and public professionals the steps and frameworks to help them find great jobs, change, and advance their careers with