How to Win at Corporate Politics. A Guide for Working Moms | E29

Corporate politics will impact your career — whether you understand it or not.
In this episode, we break down exactly how to navigate corporate politics strategically without losing your integrity and we explain why corporate not inherently evil.

If you’ve ever felt that performance alone should be enough… this conversation will shift your perspective.

We discuss:

• What corporate politics really means (it’s not manipulation)• Why high performers still get overlooked• Influence without authority — is it politics?• How to handle strong personalities at work• Why your boss is your biggest promoter• When to choose your fights• How to build allies strategically• Real corporate stories that led to promotion

Corporate politics isn’t about scheming.It’s about understanding people, power, perception, and timing.

Whether you're in product, marketing, leadership, or growing your career in tech — this episode will help you stop reacting emotionally and start navigating strategically.

Because in corporate environments, you’re playing the game — even if you don’t realize it.

🎧 Listen if you care about:corporate politics, career growth, influence without authority, women in tech leadership, working moms in corporate, product management careers, navigating difficult coworkers, and building professional influence.

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Intro - What this episode is about

(00:00:45) What Corporate Politics Really Is (And Why It’s Not Evil)

(00:04:15) Corporate Politics Rule #1: Play the game

(00:05:00) Corporate Politics Rule #2: Understand People — And Their “Why”

(00:07:00) Corporate Politics Rule #3: Observe Before You Act

(00:09:40) Corporate Politics Rule #4: Recognize Toxic Patterns

(00:10:00) Wendy and Anna's debate: Are “Toxic People” Actually Toxic?

(00:13:15) Real Corporate Politics Story: “Just Sue Them”

(00:15:45) Corporate Politics Rule #5: Boss is your biggest promoter

(00:19:30) Is "Influence without authority" a skill of Politics?

(00:22:30) How to navigate strong personalities?

(00:25:30) Why the Word “Politics” Still Feels Uncomfortable for Wendy

(00:26:00) Corporate Politics rule #6: Choose your fights

(00:27:00) Corporate Politics rule #7: Build allies

(00:27:45) Real Story: The Politics That Led to a Promotion

(00:29:50) Corporate Politics rule #8: Promote yourself (strategically)

(00:33:10) Final Takeaway: Play the Game or Get Played

#CorporatePolitics #WomenInTech #WorkingMoms #CareerGrowth #LeadershipSkills #InfluenceWithoutAuthority #ProductManagement #SaaSMoms #saasymoms