Secrets of the Career Game

What do you do when someone makes a condescending remark in front of your team—or worse, during a board meeting? In this episode, career coach Kendall Berg breaks down the exact language to use when you're belittled, talked over, or insulted at work. This non-confrontational tactic forces aggressors to repeat their words and publicly own their behavior—without you losing your composure or professional credibility. Using a real-life story from her early career, Kendall reveals how a VP's inappropriate comment triggered swift organizational response—and how a different reaction could've changed everything. You'll walk away with practical language to disarm toxic coworkers, shift the power in the room, and maintain your dignity in high-pressure corporate environments. Whether you're dealing with credit thieves, snide remarks, or subtle digs, this video gives you a tactical play that actually works. ⭐️Get our FREE Accomplishments Tracker: https://fabulous-butterfly-83716.myflodesk.com/n8yzvrtw9v That Career Coach Want to know more about Kendal Berg, that career coach? Follow her on Instagram: @thatcareercoach_ Check out her courses on the website: https://thatcareercoach.net/ Build out the tools you need to navigate the corporate game: — Self Driven Mastermind

Hilary Hartling doesn't believe in branding fluff—and after 15 years at Disney working on global campaigns for Pixar, Marvel, and DreamWorks, she's earned the right to say so. In this episode, Kendall Berg sits down with Hilary to unpack what a personal brand really is (hint: it's not your color palette). From corporate burnout to building an executive brand agency, Hilary's story is a masterclass in career reinvention, thought leadership, and waking up excited. She breaks down the actual steps to brand clarity—from strengths mapping to using human design—and offers sharp advice for executives, entrepreneurs, and high performers stuck in a career that no longer fits. Whether you're building a business or simply want more visibility at work, Hilary's strategy-driven, slightly rebellious take on branding is the wake-up call you didn't know you needed. 🔍 In this episode, we discuss: What is a personal brand and how do I build one? How do I know when it's time to leave my job? What are the first steps to start a business after burnout? How can executives build a thought leadership brand? Why do most entrepreneurs waste time on the wrong branding? ⭐️ Get our FREE Accomplishments Tracker: https://fabulous-butterfly-83716.myflodesk.com/n8yzvrtw9v That Career Coach Want to know more about Kendal Berg, that career coach? Follow her on Instagram: @thatcareercoach_ Check out her courses on the website: https://thatcareercoach.net/ Hilary Hartling is a Brand & Messaging Strategist who helps entrepreneurs turn their brilliance into captivating brands that connect and convert. Known for blending intuitive insight with strategic clarity, she's also the Chief Brand Officer at Growth Mode, a thought leadership agency for executives and founders. Before launching her business, Hilary spent 15 years leading integrated marketing campaigns for global entertainment brands film releases at Disney, Pixar & Marvel. Website: https://hilaryhartling.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hilaryhartling/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hilaryhartling/

Toxic bosses are more common than you think—and Kendall Berg isn't afraid to name names and break down the real strategies you need to survive them. From micromanagers who hover over every move to credit-stealers who take your wins and make them theirs, this episode of Secrets of the Career Game reveals what actually works when your manager is the biggest obstacle to your career growth. Kendall explains why emotional distance is the key to survival, how to proactively manage up, and what to do when your boss starts playing games with your reputation. Whether you're dealing with power-hungry leadership or just an insecure manager who's in over their head, this episode gives you the insider blueprint for managing up, protecting your peace, and reclaiming your progress. In this episode, we discuss: What are the 4 toxic boss types and how do you spot them? How do you deal with a micromanager without losing your mind? What's the best way to protect yourself from a credit-stealing manager? Can you really get promoted under a defensive boss? What should you say when your boss makes a derogatory comment? ⭐️Get our FREE Accomplishments Tracker: https://fabulous-butterfly-83716.myflodesk.com/n8yzvrtw9v That Career Coach Want to know more about Kendal Berg, that career coach? Follow her on Instagram: @thatcareercoach_ Check out her courses on the website: https://thatcareercoach.net/ Build out the tools you need to navigate the corporate game: — Self Driven Mastermind

Amanda Wolfe built a 300K+ community from her bedroom—but that's not where her story starts. Growing up in poverty, with parents addicted to drugs, Amanda moved 12 times before sixth grade. She became the first person in her family to graduate college, only to discover that a salary alone wasn't enough to build financial security. In this candid conversation, Amanda reveals how staying at her first job for 12 years became her biggest financial mistake, how she finally doubled her income, and why most people are financially stuck—even with "good jobs." Kendall and Amanda break down why financial literacy is the real ABCs of adulthood, and how anyone can start building true financial freedom—without waiting for the perfect moment. They unpack the toxic comfort zones keeping people stuck, why obsessing over specific financial goals changes everything, and how to prepare financially before making a career pivot. Plus, Amanda shares the unfiltered truth about side hustles, social media income myths, and why most influencers don't make real money from followers alone. In this episode, we discuss: What should you do if you feel financially behind in your 30s? How much should you really save in your emergency fund? Is it worth staying at a job just for comfort? How to overcome fear when changing jobs or negotiating salary? Do side hustles and social media actually make real money? ⭐️Get our FREE Accomplishments Tracker: https://fabulous-butterfly-83716.myflodesk.com/n8yzvrtw9v That Career Coach Want to know more about Kendal Berg, that career coach? Follow her on Instagram: @thatcareercoach_ Check out her courses on the website: https://thatcareercoach.net/ Build out the tools you need to navigate the corporate game: — Self Driven Mastermind Amanda Wolfe I'm a self-taught financial educator who has built a community of over 300,000+ people to increase financial literacy for all. I was born into extreme poverty, and despite it all, I've reached a point in my 30s where I could stop saving any money and still retire comfortably in my early 40s.I have partnered with multi-million dollar corporations, created multiple money management courses, am a regular contributor to BiggerPockets Money podcast, and founded SHEWOLFEOFWALLSTREET, a community where I help thousands of friends, families, and strangers create debt payoff strategies, budgets and invest so that they can achieve financial freedom. Website: shewolfeofwallstreet.com and our Instagram page.

Your words at work matter more than you think. If you've ever been told to "work on your communication" or felt unsure how to respond to vague feedback about being "too assertive"—this episode is for you. I'm breaking down 10 common workplace phrases that can quietly sabotage your professional image—and giving you smarter alternatives that build influence, show leadership, and help you play the corporate game strategically. We're not here for passive-aggressive HR speak. We're here to sound like leaders. In this episode, we discuss: What are the most common workplace phrases that hurt your career? How can you replace passive or defensive language with power language? What should Gen Z avoid saying to managers and teammates? How do you set boundaries without sounding difficult? Why is "how you say it" more important than "what you say"? ⭐️Get our FREE Accomplishments Tracker: https://fabulous-butterfly-83716.myflodesk.com/n8yzvrtw9v That Career Coach Want to know more about Kendal Berg, that career coach? Follow her on Instagram: @thatcareercoach_ Check out her courses on the website: https://thatcareercoach.net/ Build out the tools you need to navigate the corporate game: — Self Driven Mastermind

Kendall Berg pulls no punches in this conversation with certified life coach and communication expert Amy Green Smith. From the outside, high achievers seem like they have it all together—but beneath the promotions and packed calendars is a brewing identity crisis. Amy unpacks why burnout hits the most accomplished professionals the hardest—and how tying your self-worth to your performance is the fastest way to lose yourself. People-pleasing isn't just a "nice girl" habit. According to Amy, it's a survival strategy many of us learned as kids—and it's still running the show in the boardroom. Together, Kendall and Amy break down how to recognize those self-sabotaging behaviors, communicate assertively without coming off like a jerk, and set boundaries that actually stick. Plus, Amy offers her go-to scripts and practical tips to help listeners reclaim their bandwidth and emotional space. In this episode, we discuss: How do I stop tying my identity to my job? What are signs that I'm a people-pleaser at work? How can I be assertive without being aggressive? What's the right way to set boundaries in the workplace? How can high performers avoid burnout? ⭐️Get our FREE Accomplishments Tracker: https://fabulous-butterfly-83716.myflodesk.com/n8yzvrtw9v That Career Coach Want to know more about Kendal Berg, that career coach? Follow her on Instagram: @thatcareercoach_ Check out her courses on the website: https://thatcareercoach.net/ Build out the tools you need to navigate the corporate game: — Self Driven Mastermind Amy Green Smith is a certified and credentialed life coach and hypnotherapist, masterful speaker, and personal empowerment expert. Amy uses her roles as coach, writer, podcaster, and speaker to move individuals to a place of radical personal empowerment and self-worth. With acute focus on helping people "find their voice", she is highly sought after for her uncommon style of irreverence, wisdom, and humor and has been a featured expert in Inspired Coach Magazine and on Fox 5 San Diego. website: https://amygreensmith.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyamygreensmith Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heyamygreensmith/

The smallest move in your career could change everything. That's the power of the butterfly effect—and it's already at work whether you realize it or not. In this episode of Secrets of the Career Game, Kendall Berg unpacks how one tiny shift (a certification, a networking event, even a pause after a layoff) can ripple into massive career transformation. Drawing from real client stories and her own experience, Kendall challenges the panic-pivot and demotion route so many professionals take when facing burnout or job loss. Instead, she outlines the career strategy that actually works in 2025—and it has nothing to do with getting another degree or sending 50 applications a day. This is your sign to stop waiting for permission and start building momentum. The butterfly effect is already happening—make sure it's working in your favor. In this episode, we discuss: Why doesn't stepping down the corporate ladder fix burnout? How do you pivot careers after a layoff or toxic job? What's the real ROI of an MBA in today's market? How can I network effectively (without cold LinkedIn DMs)? ⭐️Get our FREE Accomplishments Tracker: https://fabulous-butterfly-83716.myflodesk.com/n8yzvrtw9v That Career Coach Want to know more about Kendal Berg, that career coach? Follow her on Instagram: @thatcareercoach_ Check out her courses on the website: https://thatcareercoach.net/ Build out the tools you need to navigate the corporate game: — Self Driven Mastermind

Kendall Berg doesn't just coach careers—she rewrites the rules of corporate success. At her Tattered Cover book signing and live Q&A, she breaks down the unwritten rules no one teaches you: what leaders really say behind closed doors, how promotions actually happen, and why your job isn't responsible for your growth—you are. With humor, vulnerability, and hard-won experience, Kendall shares the behind-the-scenes moments that shaped her new book Secrets of the Career Game. From mispronouncing "hierarchical" her entire career to being stuck at the same level for 6 years before earning 5 promotions in a row, this episode is equal parts masterclass and memoir. Whether you're wondering how to communicate your unique value, what's keeping you stuck, or how to stop being emotionally wrecked by work—this is your wake-up call to treat your career like the business it is. 📚 Secrets of the Career Game is available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and everywhere books are sold. In this episode, we discuss: What are the biggest mistakes to avoid if you want to get promoted? How do I position myself for career growth without burning out? What does it really mean to be the CEO of your career? How can I stand out in performance reviews or job interviews? Why does workplace gossip sabotage high performers?

The game is real—and most people are losing. In this final secret of Secrets of the Career Game, Kendall Berg breaks down the ultimate truth of corporate life: if you don't understand how leadership shapes culture, you will keep getting blindsided. The real culture isn't in the handbook—it's in your manager's behavior. This is the sixth and final episode in our special podcast mini-series. And the book? It's officially out now. 🎧 Stream this final secret and pick up your copy of Secrets of the Career Game—available wherever books are sold. 📌 In this episode, we discuss: What determines company culture? How does leadership impact team dynamics? Why is your hiring manager more important than the company? What's the danger of taking a job when you don't vibe with the manager? Why is cultural alignment the most overlooked part of the interview?

Natasha Cornstein didn't set out to become a CEO—but when opportunity knocked, she was ready with a curious mind, a humble heart, and a killer red lip. In this episode, Kendall Berg sits down with the powerhouse behind Blushington to unpack how Natasha went from skeptic customer to transformational CEO of a brand redefining beauty for all. With zero experience in the beauty industry and no prior CEO role, Natasha reveals how she prepared for leadership by reading voraciously, staying radically open to feedback, and rejecting the idea of transactional networking. Her philosophy? "Your next hello can be your future." From navigating a pandemic pivot to launching a franchise model centered on inclusivity, Natasha breaks down what bold-yet-introspective leadership looks like—and why most women underestimate the power of franchising. Whether you're climbing the ladder, switching industries, or building from scratch, Natasha's story is a reminder that resilience, curiosity, and relationships matter more than a perfect résumé. In this episode, we discuss: How can I transition into a leadership role with no industry experience? What's the best way to network without feeling fake? How do I know when to pivot my business model? What does servant leadership really look like in practice? How can women get started in franchising? ⭐️Get our FREE Accomplishments Tracker: https://fabulous-butterfly-83716.myflodesk.com/n8yzvrtw9v That Career Coach Want to know more about Kendal Berg, that career coach? Follow her on Instagram: @thatcareercoach_ Check out her courses on the website: https://thatcareercoach.net/ Build out the tools you need to navigate the corporate game: — Self Driven Mastermind Learn More About Natasha https://www.linkedin.com/in/natasha-cornstein-27317628/