This might be the most misunderstood feedback in the workplace.

You’re not too direct. You’re not too opinionated.
You’re just communicating disagreement the wrong way.

In Secret #4 of Secrets of the Career Game, Kendall Berg unpacks the career-limiting communication habits that hold people back from promotions, leadership roles, and real influence. If you’ve ever been told to “work on your tone” or “be more collaborative”—this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen to this fourth episode in our 6-part mini-series leading up to the book launch on May 13.

📘 Pre-order the book now and email your receipt to thatcareercoach@gmail.com for exclusive access to a private Slack group, bonus tools, and live Q&As.

• Why is how you disagree more important than your opinion?

• What do people mean by “work on your communication”?

• How do I give feedback without sounding combative?

• What’s the best way to disagree with a senior leader?
  
  

⭐️Get our FREE Accomplishments Tracker: https://fabulous-butterfly-83716.myflodesk.com/n8yzvrtw9v

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 sits down with viral career coach and former Google recruiter Farah Sharghi, and the conversation is a corporate culture reality check. From bad résumés to bad advice, Farah calls out what most job seekers are doing wrong—and what actually works if you're trying to stand out in today’s messy job market.

With firsthand experience at companies like TikTok, Uber, Lyft, and The New York Times, Farah doesn’t hold back on the pitfalls of “spray-and-pray” job applications, inflated job descriptions, and the jealousy that cost her a corporate gig. She drops hard truths on everything from how AI has wrecked the hiring process to why most people think they’re qualified when they’re not. (Spoiler: if you don’t speak Portuguese, don’t apply for that role that requires it. Looking at you.)

The conversation also touches on the real rules of the workplace—why HR isn’t your therapist, why your LinkedIn is your brand, and why networking shouldn’t only happen when you’re jobless. Oh, and there's a very real callout to anyone who thinks being “too honest” at work is a strength.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What are ghost jobs and why do companies post them?

• How can I tell if I’m actually qualified for a job?

• What’s the biggest mistake job seekers make with AI-generated résumés?

• Why doesn’t HR support employees the way we expect?

• How can I build a personal brand that attracts job offers?

⭐️Get our FREE Accomplishments Tracker: https://fabulous-butterfly-83716.myflodesk.com/n8yzvrtw9v

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

Connect with Farah :

Work With Me: https://stan.store/farahsharghi

Website: https://www.farahsharghi.com

Podcast Production by Dany Albertina

This one stings—but it’s the truth.

Without a network, you will fail.
You can be a high performer, great at your job, and still get passed over—because no one outside your manager even knows who you are. That’s the career cliff Kendall tackles in Secret #3 of Secrets of the Career Game.

In this episode, Kendall shares the harsh realities of performance reviews, cross-calibrations, and how internal “heat maps” determine who gets promoted—and who doesn’t. You’ll also learn how to build meaningful relationships even if you work remotely, are introverted, or hate small talk.

🎧 Stream this third secret from the 6-part mini-series leading up to the launch of Secrets of the Career Game—out May 13.

📘 Pre-order now and email your receipt to thatcareercoach@gmail.com to unlock a private Slack group, bonus tools, and live Q&As with Kendall.

⭐️Get our FREE Accomplishments Tracker: https://fabulous-butterfly-83716.myflodesk.com/n8yzvrtw9v

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

Some bosses are great. Others… force you into a game you never asked to play.

In this episode, Kendall Berg unpacks the real rules of surviving the workplace when you're dealing with toxic leadership—micromanagers, credit thieves, and internal gossip machines. Whether you're trying to manage up, navigate internal politics, or just stay sane in a dysfunctional team, Kendall gives you the scripts, mindset shifts, and tactical moves to stay in the game without selling your soul.

Learn how to stay visible without looking desperate, build your "network tree" to future-proof your next move, and why internal transfers might just be your secret career weapon. Because sometimes the issue isn’t you—it’s the broken org chart above you.

💡 Plus: Kendall shares how to create a regular update tracker, shut down gossip without drama, and leverage peers to escape your boss’s political tornado.

• What should I do if my boss micromanages me?

• How do I get credit for my work when my boss steals it?
  How do I manage toxic office politics without quitting?

• Should I leave or try for an internal transfer?

• What are signs my boss is sabotaging my career?

Pre-order Secrets of the Career Game (out May 13) to access exclusive resources, a private Slack group, and live Q&A sessions with Kendall.

👉 Pre-order now and send your receipt to thatcareercoach@gmail.com to join the community.

⭐️Get our FREE Accomplishments Tracker: https://fabulous-butterfly-83716.myflodesk.com/n8yzvrtw9v

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

Most people think skills are what get them promoted.
But if those skills don’t match what the company needs or values—they’re not worth much. That’s the hard truth behind Secret #2 of Secrets of the Career Game.

Kendall unpacks why skill alignment is the real key to professional growth. She explains how even high performers can fail when their talents don’t line up with team culture or leadership expectations. This minisode is a must-listen for anyone applying to jobs, switching roles, or wondering why their current role just doesn’t “click.”

🎧 Listen to this special bonus episode in our 6-part mini-series leading up to the release of Secrets of the Career Game — launching May 13.

📘 Pre-order the book now and send your receipt to thatcareercoach@gmail.com to unlock exclusive resources, live Q&As, and a private Slack group.

• Why do high performers sometimes struggle at work?

• What is skill alignment and why does it matter?

• How do I know if a company values my strengths?
  What questions should I ask in interviews to assess alignment?

• How can I identify the kind of leader I thrive under?

⭐️Get our FREE Accomplishments Tracker: https://fabulous-butterfly-83716.myflodesk.com/n8yzvrtw9v

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

Pre-order Secrets of the Career Game (out May 13) to access exclusive resources, a private Slack group, and live Q&A sessions with Kendall.

👉 Pre-order now and send your receipt to thatcareercoach@gmail.com to join the community.

⭐️Get our FREE Accomplishments Tracker: https://fabulous-butterfly-83716.myflodesk.com/n8yzvrtw9v

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/

MEET TRACEY NEWELL

Specializing in accelerating go-to-market teams and top line revenue growth, Tracey Newell serves on the board of five high growth software companies, Sailpoint, Druva, Highspot, DataRobot, and Deepwatch. Tracey also serves as an advisor for Blackrock Long Term Private Capital and Spring Coast Capital Partners.

Book: Hers For The Taking: Your Path to the C-Suite and Beyond:

Website: https://www.tracey-newell.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracey-newell/

Kendall kicks off the six-part mini-series with a career truth most people avoid: your job is not your job—it’s your business.

If you’re waiting around for your boss to hand you a promotion or finally notice your hard work, this is your wake-up call. Kendall explains why treating your career like a business is the first mindset shift you need to break free from being an "order taker" and start being seen as a valuable player. It's not about completing tasks—it's about driving impact.

Pre-order Secrets of the Career Game (out May 13) to access exclusive resources, a private Slack group, and live Q&A sessions with Kendall.

👉 Pre-order now and send your receipt to thatcareercoach@gmail.com to join the community.

📌 In this episode, we discuss:

• How can I start treating my career like a business?

• Why do people get stuck in “order taker” roles?

• What does impact-driven communication look like?

• How do I pitch my value at work?

• What mindset do I need to actually get promoted?

⭐️Get our FREE Accomplishments Tracker: https://fabulous-butterfly-83716.myflodesk.com/n8yzvrtw9v

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/

Not every urgent request deserves immediate attention. In this episode, Kendall Berg breaks down the difference between urgency and importance—a crucial distinction that can save your career from constant stress and burnout. Using a four-quadrant framework, Kendall explains how to prioritize effectively while still delivering results that matter.

High-level thinking isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the key to career progression. Kendall shares how professionals can shift from task execution to strategic influence, making their work more valuable to executives. Learn how to prepare for meetings like a pro, communicate with impact, and avoid common pitfalls like defensiveness, overloading information, and ineffective multitasking.

🔥 In this episode, we discuss:

• What’s the real difference between urgency and importance? (And how to stop treating everything as a crisis)

• How can high-level thinking make you indispensable to executives?

• Why do so many professionals struggle with strategic communication?

• What’s the secret to asking better questions in meetings?

• How can automation be a game-changer for scaling work without burnout?

📌 Preorder the book: Secrets of the Career Game: 36 simple strategies to win in the workplace

⭐️Get our FREE Accomplishments Tracker: https://fabulous-butterfly-83716.myflodesk.com/n8yzvrtw9v

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