Episode 6 - How to Play & Win the Corporate Games

In today’s episode, I wanted to share with you 8 strategies on how to play the Play and Win the Corporate Games as a Big 4 Leader. I will have another episode next week continuing this topic, but for employees at every level.

These strategies are going to be a little different from what you’ve heard as I want to give you strategies of how to play the game while still owning who you are. 

However, if you are playing the corporate games, you still have to hold back just a little (aka smiling and agreeing with someone vs not telling them off). 

It’s a practice but if you want to stay in the corporate world, or at least make it a bit more manageable until you can leave, this episode is for you. 

Find the full show notes for the episode at RecovingCorpholics.com/6.

We’ve all had to deal with tough situations at work. Otherwise, you probably wouldn’t have found this podcast! There could be a Partner or colleague who is just a nightmare to work with me. 

Maybe you work with people who throw you under the bus, or people who make you feel like you’re not good enough. Maybe the workload is just unattainable. Or maybe you just don’t like all the games you have to play to be accepted or get ahead.

The Corporate Games are not fun but there are some people who thrive in it. How do these people do it? 

Here are 8 strategies that those people know how to do and what you can learn, too, if you want to play and win at the Corporate Games.

FYI, I talk about giving and receiving feedback for one of the strategies and to help, I’ve created a free step by step guide that goes into everything you could need to give and receive feedback. To download, go to RecovingCorpholics.com/6.

1. Be open to others’ ideas 

The first strategy I have for playing the corporate games is to be open to others idea, aka Listen! There is nothing worse than a Partner or a colleague who is stuck on one idea, one solution or one way to do things. 

You may have something to add but as you know with some people, it will go in one ear and out the other. Do you like working with these types of people? I know I didn’t. 

What does this look like? We’ll I remember I reported to a Director early in my career and we had to provide an update to the client. He told me everything to create for the deck. 

I asked if we could change up one of the sections to include a couple a couple thoughts I had and I was immediately turned down. And this happened every single time. Funny thing is I would talk to the client one on one about those ideas, they really liked it. 

He just always wanted to be in control. And when I rolled off that project, I ensured I never worked with him again (as best I could)

If you want to succeed in the corporate world, you need to know how to play the game. Maybe you only see one solution for doing things, but still hear everyone out. Ask questions and see where they’re coming from. 

This makes people feel heard and respected. If possible, you even say things such as “I like that idea, I’ll incorporate it when talking through slide 2” or “we can add a bullet on that, I like that”. 

And even if you don’t like the idea, you explain why it may not be the best fit but say to save those points for the next presentation and to keep the feedback coming. 

Most people don’t want you to change up the entire presentation or idea or solution, they just want to feel like a valued team member. So, in summary, listen to your team. Be open to what they are saying.

2. Be genuine and curious about hearing others out

Find the Full Show Notes Here.