210. First Impression to Lasting Impact: Use Status Strategically

Career success takes a status boost, not a power grab.

How do you chart the career course you’ve always imagined? According to Alison Fragale, it’s about gaining influence through status, power, and ultimately, being “a likeable badass.”

As a research psychologist, professor, speaker, and author, Fragale is on a mission to help women take control of their careers. In her book Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve, she argues that most people have it backwards when pursuing career advancement. "We have talked for a long time [about] getting more power," she explains. However, by focusing first on achieving status (how respected we are), power will often come as a natural byproduct. "If you pursue status before, or at least alongside power, everything is going to fall into place," she says. “Status makes power a lot easier to achieve, and it makes power a lot easier to use.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, hosted by executive producer Jenny Luna, Fragale explores the communication strategies of a likeable badass, from building warmth and assertiveness to authentically connecting with colleagues. Whether you're building relationships in a new company or have been leading one for years, Fragale’s insights will help you command respect while communicating with kindness.

To listen to the extended Deep Thinks version of this episode, please visit FasterSmarter.io/premium

Episode Reference Links:

• Alison Fragale
• Alison’s Book: Likeable Badass
• Jenny Luna
• Ep.12 It's Not What You Say, It’s How You Say It: How To Communicate Power
• Ep.15 The Art of Negotiation: How to Get More of What You Want

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Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction
• (02:52) - Defining Power and Status
• (05:57) - Why Status Comes Before Power
• (06:50) - Communication Techniques to Build Status
• (09:58) - Evaluating Your Habits: Nonverbal and Verbal Cues
• (11:52) - Mentorship in Developing Communication
• (13:44) - Adapting to a New Work Culture
• (19:12) - Representing Difference Without Distance
• (20:20) - Overcoming Bad First Impressions
• (24:01) - The Final Three Question
• (27:46) - Conclusion