Psychology at Work | Career Success, Leadership, Communication Skills

Melody Wilding
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6 snips
Jul 18, 2025 • 13min

54. The Surprising Reason You Sound More Junior Than You Really Are

Unlock the secret to sounding like a senior leader with a simple communication shift. Discover the two key ingredients that distinguish high-level communication from junior-level talk. Learn how to convey your contributions clearly, making colleagues lean in and recognize your true value. Hear inspiring stories, including a transformative journey that led a client to present to the board within six months. Elevate your professional language to enhance perception and unlock new career opportunities.
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Jul 16, 2025 • 30min

53. “Spiky” Points of View on Workplace Politics

Join Speak Like a Senior Leader™ before doors close July 25th 11:59pm. Only cohort of 2025! https://speaklikeaseniorleader.comMelody shares her most controversial “hot takes” on workplace politics and delivers the hard truths about how influence really works in corporate environments. This episode challenges the romanticized view of how work "should" operate and provides a pragmatic framework for gaining influence ethically. What You’ll Discover: ▪️The brain science behind why "staying above office politics" backfires▪️How to tell the difference between productive politics and destructive manipulation▪️Why your "weakness" for picking up on tension might be the most valuable skill you're not usinghttps://melodywilding.com/resilient https://melodywilding.com/resilientConnect with Melody: FREE GUIDE: Steal These Scripts for Saying No at Work FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Waitlist Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up
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Jul 9, 2025 • 38min

52. Want to Be More Authoritative at Work? Building Confidence Is a Waste of Time

🎟️ NEW FREE TRAINING: RSVP for 5 Steps to Speak Like a Senior Leader happening July 16th at 3pm ET: https://melodywilding.com/training If you've been waiting to "feel more confident" before speaking up in meetings, asking for that promotion, or sharing your insights at higher levels, this episode will completely shift how you think about building authority and credibility at work. Melody surveyed hundreds of mid-to-senior level professionals. What she found were hidden patterns that keep even the most driven people stuck, struggling to turn their expertise into true respect and recognition. In this episode, she unpacks why the self-help industry’s obsession with “confidence” might be making it worse.What You’ll Discover: What your nervous system really needs to build executive presence Why your carefully crafted message can still land flat—and what to do about itA life-changing 5-word concept that will change how you think about nervousnessThe five biggest myths professionals believe about confidence (and what’s true instead)Connect with Melody: FREE GUIDE: Steal These Scripts for Saying No at Work FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Waitlist Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up
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Jul 2, 2025 • 35min

51. Decoding Executive Speak

Ever felt puzzled by vague executive phrases? This discussion unveils the hidden meanings behind diplomatic language for career growth. Learn how to sharpen your communication skills without overthinking every interaction. Discover the power of mapping organizational politics to identify key influencers and gain support for your ideas. Plus, master the art of discerning between genuine urgency and mere hype, ensuring you respond effectively when feedback suggests additional refinement.
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Jun 25, 2025 • 45min

50. Quiet Your Racing Mind with Nick Wignall

Learn how to quiet your racing mind and overcome chronic worry at work with clinical psychologist Nick Wignall. If you struggle with workplace anxiety, overthinking every email, or constantly second-guessing your decisions, this episode provides practical strategies to break free from the worry cycle. What You’ll Discover: The subtle, sneaky causes of anxiety that most people never notice at workHow to tell the difference between a worry and worrying (and why it matters for your career)The most underrated solution to workplace worry that has nothing to do with breathing exercisesHow to actually stop your mind from racing when you're spiraling about workAbout Nick: Nick Wignall is a board-certified clinical psychologist. He currently works as a coach for anxious high-achievers and runs a leadership consulting firm, Loom. His newsletter, The Friendly Mind, reaches 50,000+ people each week and shares practical, evidence-based advice for emotional health and wellbeing. https://nickwignall.com/ https://melodywilding.com/resilient https://melodywilding.com/resilientConnect with Melody: FREE GUIDE: Steal These Scripts for Saying No at Work FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Waitlist Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up
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17 snips
Jun 18, 2025 • 38min

49. 6 Signs You’re NOT Speaking Like a Senior Leader (And the Fixes)

Discover the subtle communication mistakes that can undermine your leadership presence. Learn how even highly competent individuals might inadvertently sound like mid-level contributors. Explore the six key habits to avoid for clearer communication and more influence. Uncover why top leaders often don't directly answer questions, enhancing their effectiveness. Get actionable insights to elevate your executive presence and make the most of your expertise in professional settings.
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Jun 11, 2025 • 35min

48. How to Take Criticism Without Taking It Personally

Criticism at work only gets harsher and more frequent the higher you climb – not easier or less. That’s why in this episode Melody shares strategies to take feedback seriously without taking it personally (none of which requires superhuman zen). You'll learn how to handle difficult conversations in a way that both projects executive presence and safeguards your confidence.  What You’ll Discover: How to decode what criticism reveals about workplace politics, power dynamics, and hidden agendasHow to separate someone's communication style from the actual content of their feedbackWhy you should never act on a leader’s input until you do THIS (and no, it’s not “ask questions”)The specific scripts to use when you're blindsided by criticism and need to calm downhttps://melodywilding.com/resilient https://melodywilding.com/resilientConnect with Melody: FREE GUIDE: Steal These Scripts for Saying No at Work FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Waitlist Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up
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Jun 4, 2025 • 37min

47. Leadership Under Pressure with Sabina Nawaz

Author Sabina Nawaz joins Melody to explore why pressure, not power, is what truly derails even the most well-intentioned leaders. They unpack simple tools like the Yes List and Multiple Meanings to help you lead with clarity, even when you’re overwhelmed.What You’ll Discover: Sneaky ways pressure warps your thinking, behavior, and relationships at workThe first thing to do when you feel like you’re barely keeping your head above waterHow to build your “pressure capacity” so challenges don’t derail your success About Sabina NawazSabina Nawaz is an elite executive coach who advises C-level executives and teams at Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, nonprofits, and academic institutions around the world. During her fourteen-year tenure at Microsoft, she went from managing software development teams to leading the company’s executive development and succession planning efforts for over 11,000 managers and nearly a thousand executives, advising Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer directly. https://melodywilding.com/resilient https://melodywilding.com/resilientConnect with Melody: FREE GUIDE: Steal These Scripts for Saying No at Work FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Waitlist Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up
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May 28, 2025 • 30min

46. Can't Stop Checking If Your Boss Is Happy With Your Work? Here's Why

Are you constantly checking if your boss is happy with your work? Discover how this habit can drain your confidence and lead to self-doubt. The discussion highlights the distinction between managing up and seeking approval. Learn why relying on your boss’s feedback can leave you unsatisfied. Explore the 'filter not sponge' approach to improve how you respond to others' input. Plus, understand how declaring your worth can sometimes become a trap rather than a strength.
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May 21, 2025 • 36min

45. Building Emotional Fitness for Work & Life with Dr. Emily Anhalt

Most of us weren't taught how to handle workplace stress, difficult colleagues, or career setbacks. We just figure it out as we go—sometimes successfully, sometimes not. In this episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Emily Anhalt breaks down what she calls "emotional fitness" and why it matters in our work lives. Based on fifteen years of research with professionals across industries, her new book "Flex Your Feelings" offers a refreshingly practical approach to strengthening our emotional health. Dr. Anhalt shares simple exercises you can use to build resilience and connection in everyday work situations, from tense meetings to performance reviews.What You’ll Discover: Why treating your emotions like muscles you can train changes everything about how you handle workplace stressHow to spot the telltale signs of emotional "unfitness" before they derail your careerPractical "emotional pushups" that Emily has taught top Silicon Valley executivesAbout Dr. Emily Anhalt  Dr. Emily Anhalt is a clinical psychologist, keynote speaker, author, and cofounder of Coa, the gym for mental health. For the past fifteen years, Dr. Anhalt has worked clinically with executives, founders, and high-performers, and has conducted extensive research with prominent psychologists and entrepreneurs about how leaders can improve their emotional fitness. Dr. Anhalt has collaborated with companies like Google, Salesforce, NBCUniversal, NASDAQ, and the NBA, and her debut book, Flex Your Feelings (published with Penguin Randomhouse) is available now.https://melodywilding.com/resilient https://melodywilding.com/resilientConnect with Melody: FREE GUIDE: Steal These Scripts for Saying No at Work FREE NEWSLETTER: Psychology at Work Weekly Get on the Speak Like a Senior Leader™ Waitlist Follow Melody on LinkedIn Follow Melody on Instagram Get Melody's new book, Managing Up

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