Founder's Story
The Real Reason You’re Not Getting Promoted | Ep. 201 with Melody Wilding Author of Managing Up
18 Apr 2025
Melody Wilding is a professor of human behavior at Hunter College, a licensed therapist, an executive coach, and the author of Managing Up. She was named one of Insider’s Most Innovative Career Coaches and has been praised by thought leaders like Daniel Pink. Through her research and coaching, Melody has helped thousands of high-achievers navigate the complex relationships and unspoken rules that define career success.💬 In This Episode:Melody Wilding joins Founder's Story to unpack the real reason many talented professionals get stuck in their careers—it’s not about skill, it’s about mastering the psychology of the people around you. From decoding power dynamics to influencing with integrity, Melody explains how to “manage up” to leaders, navigate workplace politics, and take ownership of your career trajectory.Whether you're climbing the corporate ladder or building your own business, this conversation is packed with actionable tools to help you lead, influence, and grow.🧠 Topics We Cover:Why your biggest workplace challenges aren’t technical—they’re psychologicalThe 10 Conversations that unlock influence, visibility, and career growthHow to master both your inner psychology and the psychology of othersThe difference between managing up at junior vs. senior levelsWhy avoiding workplace politics is a dangerous mistakeHow to communicate with different leadership styles and power personalitiesThe “ownership conversation” and how to act like a business owner in your jobHow small, strategic asks (aka “foot in the door” technique) create big changeHow to build internal visibility without being self-promotional💡 Key Quote:“Politics are going to happen whether you like it or not. If you opt out, you do so at your own peril.”📘 Grab the book → ManagingUp.com 🎁 Bonus templates & scripts included with sign-up!Connect with Melody: 🌐 ManagingUp.com 📚 Author of Managing UpOur Sponsors:* Check out Indeed: https://indeed.com/FOUNDERSSTORY* Check out Northwest Registered Agent and use my code FOUNDERS for a great deal: https://northwestregisteredagent.com* Check out Plus500: https://plus500.com* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com
Full Episode
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Hey everyone, welcome back to Founder's Story. Today we have Melody Wilding, the author of Managing Up, How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge. And Melody is a professor of human behavior at Hunter College. And you were recently named one of Insider's most innovative career coaches. And I have to say, human behavior is probably the most interesting topic that I like to discuss.
And I was mentioning before that you have, you know, you've been quoted by Daniel Pink as being an incredible individual, and he is one of my favorite speakers. So I'm honored to have you here. Let's just dive into first, what made you get into this path in life and why this industry?
Well, I think we teach what we most need to learn. And that's very true in my case. And my background is as a therapist. And so I thought early on in my career, I've always been fascinated by human behavior, why people do what they do and the nuances of their behavior. And I've always been someone who was a bit of a people pleaser, wanting to...
being very vigilant of what was happening around me. So those things brought together, pursued a path in psychology, became a therapist. But I very quickly realized that what my clients wanted was not traditional therapy, like let's unpack your childhood. They really wanted something that was much more tactical and practical for their careers because we spend 70, 80 percent of our time working.
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