Secrets of the Career Game

Strong performance does not automatically translate into influence at work. Many high performers deliver results yet still get misread, underestimated, or quietly sidelined. That gap is where careers slow down, not because of skill, but because leadership presence and perception do not always match capability. Kendall sits down with Tracy Nolan to break down what actually moves careers forward in...

Office politics is not optional. It is the job if you want director-level and above. Ignore it, and you stay the hardest working person in the room with the least control over what gets decided. This episode breaks down office politics the way high performers actually need it explained: not gossip or brown-nosing, but influence, stakeholder management, and reputation. Kendall walks you through the...

  Career growth feels harder when you're doing everything "right" and still not seeing momentum. Kendall breaks down why traditional goal setting quietly stalls your progress and why the real catalysts for advancement are systems, identity, and daily habits that actually fit your work life. She shares how high achievers unintentionally set themselves up for burnout, why New Year energy fades so qu...

Kendall digs into the truth about career growth with Julie DeLucca Collins, a coach who teaches that real leadership begins long before a title. Julie explains why self-leadership, emotional regulation, and a strong leadership mindset are the foundation of confidence at work and mid-career growth. They talk about the discomfort that comes with asking questions, navigating rejection, and showing in...

If you feel like you're failing at work and at home, Kendall explains why the problem isn't you — it's the myth you're trying to live up to. She breaks down why "balance" was never realistic, how it fuels guilt and burnout, and why integration offers a more practical, sustainable path forward. Through personal stories and real client examples, Kendall shows how aligning your values, redefining suc...

Corporate politics isn't about manipulation, it's about relationships. Learn how to master workplace dynamics, communicate clearly, and build trust fast. In this 5-minute episode, career coach Kendall Berg breaks down the unspoken rules that shape every workplace. She explains why likability, clarity, and reciprocity matter more than hard work when it comes to getting promoted—and how to use those...

So many brilliant women get stuck at director level because they're too good at their jobs. That's the quiet trap executive coach Katy McFee breaks down in this episode of Secrets of the Career Game. Kendall Berg sits with Katy to unpack the habits, mindset shifts, and strategic practices women need to finally be seen as leaders instead of doers. Katy shares what actually signals VP readiness, why...

Kendall Berg reveals why the real career hack is not a promotion or a lucky break. It is the quiet one percent improvements in soft skills that reshape your communication, visibility, and leadership presence. She shares how small daily habits build reputation, influence, and long term career momentum without burnout. In this episode, Kendall Berg breaks down how to take tough feedback without spir...

Most professionals chase the next promotion without ever asking if it's the right move. In this conversation, Kendall Berg and executive coach Whitney Faires expose the myth of the linear career path and why the most fulfilled leaders often take strategic sideways moves instead of climbing straight up. Whitney shares her Courageous Leader Roadmap, a framework for showing up with authenticity, self...

Your performance review might be enough to save you from getting fired, but it's definitely enough to keep you from getting promoted. Kendall Berg unpacks why most professionals underestimate their self-evaluations and how a well-written review can make or break your next career move. She explains how to turn your performance review into your best internal marketing tool: one that showcases impact...

Too many smart, capable women stay stuck in roles that feel "safe." In this episode, Kendall Berg and Dr. Candace Steele Flippin unpack why — and how to finally break free. Drawing on groundbreaking research from her book and her SHAPE Framework (Safe, Hard Work, Advocate, Persevere, Educate), Dr. Candace reveals the hidden connection between financial stability and career confidence — and why mon...

Most professionals don't plateau because they've hit their technical limit; they plateau because no one can see their value. In this episode, Kendall Berg breaks down the confidence gap and exposes the real reason talented people stay invisible at work: not a lack of skill, but a lack of visibility, presence, and confidence. Kendall explains how soft skills like communication, influence, and execu...

True "job security" as guaranteed lifetime employment was never a reality, though the perception of it was stronger in previous generations. In this episode, Kendall Berg sits down with career strategist Renata Bernarde to talk about what it really takes to stay relevant when the rules of work keep changing. From quiet layoffs to invisible promotion ceilings, they dig into why waiting to be "disco...

Kendall Berg reveals the truth about how to emotionally detach from work—without losing your ambition. Most professionals don't burn out from overworking; they burn out from over-caring. In this episode of Secrets of the Career Game , Kendall breaks down why emotional detachment is the real power skill behind sustainable success. You'll learn how to stop tying your self-worth to work performance,...

Kendall Berg and Sara Anderson go deep into why authentic confidence isn't about "faking it until you make it"—it's about rewiring your nervous system so your leadership presence becomes undeniable. From grounding exercises that calm anxiety before high-stakes meetings to mindset shifts that make you more memorable in the boardroom, this episode unpacks the hidden mechanics of influence that no on...

Kendall Berg doesn't sugarcoat it: if you refuse to engage in corporate politics, your career will stall. Hard work alone gets you to middle management at best, while those who master influence, relationships, and reputation move into senior leadership. Politics isn't about gossip—it's about power dynamics, alliances, and timing. In this episode of Secrets of the Career Game , Kendall breaks down...

Networking isn't just for job hunting — it's the long-term career insurance policy that carries you through promotions, layoffs, and everything in between. And in a world of AI, real career decisions still rely on real people. In this episode of Secrets of the Career Game , Kendall Berg sits down with Catherine Fisher , LinkedIn's career expert and author of the Career Companion newsletter, to unp...

Corporate careers don't offer the same safety net they once did. Pensions are gone, promotions are slow, and many roles feel like dead ends. That's why more professionals are turning to side hustles—and Kendall Berg is one of them. In this episode of Secrets of the Career Game , Kendall shares how she built a career coaching business while still working a demanding corporate job. She breaks down w...

Kendall Berg sits down with Kelly Poquiz Burke, a former Doritos brand manager who walked away from Super Bowl campaigns, corporate titles, and nonstop promotions to build a life that actually aligned with her values. Kelly's story begins at the peak of success—meeting celebrities, managing billion-dollar brands, and collecting promotions—but underneath, she was burning out while holding it all to...

Most of us give our boss way too much credit — for the raise we didn't get, the promotion we hoped for, or the recognition we thought was overdue. Kendall Berg pulls back the curtain to reveal the truth: your career outcomes are rarely decided by one person. Promotions, raises, and opportunities happen by committee, and your boss can't advocate for you if they don't even know what you're doing. Th...

Your calendar doesn't cause burnout. It's caused by your nervous system. After building multiple seven-figure businesses in her twenties, Dr. Nona Djavid found herself sobbing on the closet floor—exhausted, overwhelmed, and completely burned out. That breakdown became a breakthrough. She didn't just change her habits—she rewired her subconscious and trained her nervous system to feel safe with res...

"Just work hard and you'll get promoted." If you've heard this before and it still hasn't worked out… Kendall's here to tell you why. In this 100th episode of Secrets of the Career Game, Kendall calls BS on the most common career clichés that keep high-performers stuck and overlooked. From toxic loyalty traps to the myth of passion-driven success, this episode breaks down the 8 most mediocre piece...

Most people say they're "too busy" before they've even checked their calendar. Michelle Niemeyer wants to change that. After burning out as a high-performing attorney (and landing in the hospital because of it), Michelle realized the problem wasn't her productivity. It was her lifestyle. Her nervous system. Her goals. And the way she defined success. In this episode, she breaks down The Art of Ben...

Most people aren't lazy—they're just scared of being seen. Kendall Berg sits down with digital strategist and Slay the Gatekeeper founder Courtney Johnson to unravel the truth about personal branding in the age of LinkedIn, TikTok, and trolls. Spoiler alert: it's not about going viral—it's about getting honest. Courtney breaks down the emotional blocks that keep high achievers hiding their brillia...

Kendall Berg reveals the 5 planning habits that keep her from losing it—while balancing a corporate tech role, coaching business, content creation, pageant prep, and parenting two kids. If your to-do list never ends but your energy does, these five systems will shift how you manage your time, reduce mental load, and finally build a week that works. Kendall breaks down how to simplify your goals, d...