Office Politics, Unpacked | with Kris Verlé

You got promoted, and the people who were at the same level as you now report to you. The relationship you built with them will need to be reset, and how you handle that reset will determine whether your team ends up working with you or around you. In this episode, I decided to take a slightly harder, more political look at managing former peers after an internal promotion.  I talk about why being...

Being called reliable, dependable, or a safe pair of hands sounds like a compliment. At senior level, it often isn't. In this episode, executive coach Kris Verlé explains why the reliable label creates a self-imposed glass ceiling, why so many senior managers are making it worse without realising it, and what you need to start doing differently to change how you're seen. It comes down to...

You're delivering great work, your manager rates you, and yet somehow you're not the person getting invited to the conversations that matter. Or at least not as often as you'd expect at your level. In this episode, I explore why individual contributions become structurally harder to see as you progress in the corporate hierarchy, and why the most capable senior managers are often th...

Is your boss making your job harder than it needs to be? This episode covers the four most common difficult boss situations and what to actually do about them. You'll learn how to handle: 02:01 - A boss who keeps changing their mind and moving the goalposts  03:59 - A manager who doesn't communicate and leaves you in the dark 05:33 - A boss who won't back you up or fight for resourc...

Imposter syndrome in meetings is usually a threat response rather than a reflection on your talents.  In this short episode, I share a practical protocol you can use before, during, and after any high-stakes meeting so you stop going quiet, over-explaining, or replaying the whole thing for hours afterwards.  You'll learn:  A 90-second prep, where you decide on your function, and at least one...

 If you ramble at work or talk yourself into a circle when you’re under pressure, this episode will help.  You’ll learn why people stop listening when you overshare, how rambling quietly harms your professional reputation, and the simple tools that make you sound clearer, steadier, and more senior.  If you want people to take you seriously and pay attention when you speak, start here.  01:33 - Why...

 Hate small talk? You’re not alone.  But when done right, it’s one of the quickest ways to build trust, warmth, and credibility at work.  In this episode, I break down the psychology of small talk, what it really is, why it matters more than you think, and how to make it feel natural instead of forced.  Learn how to steady your nerves, read the room, and connect with people in a way that feels con...

Hate networking? You’re not alone.  In this episode of Altitude Shift , I break down why most professionals get networking wrong and how to reframe it into authentic relationship-building.  You'll learn the five strategic principles to grow visibility and access, overcome the fear of rejection, and connect with senior leaders without feeling slimy or transactional. Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:37...

Most of us struggle with balance in tough conversations. Either we soften our words so much that the message becomes lost, or we come across as blunt and leave people feeling hurt.  Radical Candour , a framework made famous by Kim Scott, offers a better path: being clear and direct while still showing you care.  In this episode, I’ll unpack why straightforwardness is such a critical (and often ign...

What do you do when your personal life is in crisis, but you're still expected to lead, show up, and get things done at work? In this episode of Altitude Shift , I explore how to stay steady, clear-headed, and functional when you're dealing with grief, illness, heartbreak, or any personal crisis that spills into your professional life. You’ll learn: What happens in your brain during a pe...

 Do you often find yourself keeping the peace at work by keeping quiet? Saying yes when you’re already overloaded? Feeling responsible for how everyone else feels?  In this episode, I unpack the psychology behind people-pleasing, why it drains your influence and energy, and how to start interrupting the habit, but without turning into a boundary robot. This is real talk for recovering good guys (a...

Why do some things at work hit harder than they should? A comment, a tone, a missed cue — and suddenly, you’re overreacting, spiralling, or shutting down. In this episode of Altitude Shift , executive coach Kris Verle unpacks what’s really happening when you feel triggered at work — and why your reactions can feel so outsized. We talk about what’s going on in your brain, what old emotional pattern...

Made a bad call at work? This episode unpacks how to recover from professional missteps that quietly damage your credibility, and how to rebuild trust without spinning into shame or overexplanation. Learn how to steady yourself, take ownership, and move on with more confidence. 03:00 - What your brain does when you slip 05:02 - Step 1: Reframing 07:19 - Step 2: Who else needs to hear from you 09:0...

Ever delivered great work and got... nothing? Or received vague feedback that stuck in your head for days? In this episode, I explore why rumination occurs, especially in high-achievers, and how it differs from everyday overthinking. You’ll get practical ways to break the loop, regain focus again at work, and get out of your own head. 00:00 – Disappointment kills careers faster than failure 01:25...

Ever feel like you’re not as competent as people think you are — and it’s only a matter of time before they find out? You’re not alone. Imposter syndrome affects even the most experienced professionals, especially high achievers in leadership roles. In this episode, I explore why imposter syndrome happens, why it’s more common than you think, and how success can actually make those feelings worse....