In this episode, Alli chats with elite executive coach and author of 'You're the Boss', Sabina Nawaz about turning high-pressure moments into leadership superpowers. We dig into the myths of “good vs. bad” bosses, why pressure (not power) corrupts behavior, how to build your “shut-up muscle,” and practical ways to get real feedback (even if you can’t hire a coach).

What you’ll learn:

-- Why the “good boss / bad boss” binary is a myth

-- The #1 stated weakness of managers and how to fix it

-- The two magic words to replace judgment with curiosity

-- How to run brainstorms where your team actually speaks up

-- DIY 360° feedback: a simple way to discover blind spots without a big budget

-- “Yes, and…” as a management tool

About our guest:

Sabina Nawaz is an executive coach and global keynote speaker who works with leaders across Fortune 500s, government, nonprofits, and academia. Previously at Microsoft, she led executive development and succession planning for thousands of leaders.

In this episode, we dive into the psychology of power in the workplace and how to manage up effectively without losing your sense of self. My guest, Melody Wilding, is an executive coach, professor of human behavior, and the author of Managing Up and Trust Yourself. She’s worked with top performers at companies like Google and JP Morgan, and she joined me to break down how power really works at work—and how to use it to your advantage.

We cover:

• What “managing up” actually means (hint: it’s not brown-nosing)
• How to push back on your boss without being labeled difficult
• Real scripts you can use to set boundaries and get clarity
• The four communication styles at work—and how to adapt to each
• How to handle micromanagers without losing your mind
• What power looks like even if you’re not in charge

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overlooked, or unsure how to advocate for yourself at work, this conversation is packed with practical advice you can apply immediately.

Get Melody’s free scripts and tools at: https://www.managingup.com

Buy the book: https://a.co/d/7ppiVAs

Let me know in the comments what resonated most—or share your own story of managing up.

#ManagingUp #MelodyWilding #AlliFromCorporate #CareerAdvice #Leadership #WorkplacePsychology #OfficePolitics

In this episode of Alli From Corporate, we sat down with Siri Chilazi and discussed the invisible rules that run the workplace: norms. Not the handbook policies or HR trainings—but the things no one tells you, like whether it’s okay to disagree with your boss, or if you’re “supposed” to wait to be offered a promotion.

We’ll cover:

• Why clear norms matter more than policies
• How fairness becomes a culture—not just a value
• What it means to be a "norm entrepreneur" at work
• How to correct false perceptions about what’s “normal”
• And how small actions (by you!) can shift company culture

Whether you're a manager, job seeker, or someone just trying to survive office life, this episode will help you decode the hidden rules—and maybe even start rewriting them.