Secrets of the Career Game

• 110. The Confidence Gap: Why Soft Skills Beat Technical Skills

  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 executive presence can move your career forward faster than any other certification ever could. She shares actionable frameworks to build authentic confidence through repetition, feedback, and mindset shifts, along with her 3-step communication model that helps you speak clearly and with authority. You’ll learn why success at senior levels is perception-driven, and how to project confidence that’s real, sustainable, and aligned with who you are. In this episode, we discuss: How underconfidence keeps capable professionals invisible, while overconfidence can elevate unqualified leaders Why soft skills like communication, influence, and executive presence matter more than degrees or technical expertise Practical frameworks for building authentic confidence through repetition, feedback, and mindset shifts Tactical tools for clear communication, including Kendall’s 3-step model: context, problem, recommendation The idea that success at senior levels is perception-driven — you must be seen as confident to be promoted What’s one “corporate game” rule you’ve learned the hard way? 🎯 Take the full Level Up Leadership Course: https://stan.store/thatcareercoach/p/get-started-with-my-play-the-corporate-game-course About Your Host: That Career Coach, Kendall Berg Kendall Berg is a career coach and creator, helping ambitious professionals master the unspoken rules of corporate life. Through Secrets of the Career Game, she shares honest conversations and practical tools to help you communicate clearly, lead confidently, and navigate work with strategy — not stress. ☕️ Want personalized career advice? Book a free 15-minute Coffee Chat with me — let’s talk strategy, leadership, or your next move. Book your Coffee Chat → https://calendly.com/thatcareercoach/15-min-follow-up Want to know more about Kendal Berg, that career coach? Follow her on Instagram: @thatcareercoach_ Check out her courses on the website: https://thatcareercoach.net/  

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• 109. Job Security Is a Myth: Become the CEO of Your Career with Renata Bernarde

  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 “discovered” is no longer a strategy but a trap. Renata shares how thinking like the CEO of your own career changes everything: the way you network, the way you show up online, and the way you plan for the future version of you. Together, she and Kendall dive into the power of self-agency, the networking realities behind senior-level hiring, and how to plan your career with your 70-year-old self in mind. Whether you’re feeling stuck, restless, or ready to pivot, this conversation will help you build the kind of career that lasts no matter what the market does next.   What’s one “corporate game” rule you’ve learned the hard way? 🎯 Take the full Level Up Leadership Course: https://stan.store/thatcareercoach/p/get-started-with-my-play-the-corporate-game-course About Your Host: That Career Coach, Kendall Berg Kendall Berg is a career coach and creator, helping ambitious professionals master the unspoken rules of corporate life. Through Secrets of the Career Game, she shares honest conversations and practical tools to help you communicate clearly, lead confidently, and navigate work with strategy — not stress. ☕️ Want personalized career advice? Book a free 15-minute Coffee Chat with me — let’s talk strategy, leadership, or your next move. Book your Coffee Chat → https://calendly.com/thatcareercoach/15-min-follow-up Want to know more about Kendal Berg, that career coach? Follow her on Instagram: @thatcareercoach_ Check out her courses on the website: https://thatcareercoach.net/ Build out the tools you need to navigate the corporate game: — Self Driven Mastermind   About Renata Bernarde Renata Bernarde is a career coach and job-hunting expert who helps experienced and senior professionals design successful career strategies, secure new roles, and navigate career transitions with confidence. She is the host of The Job Hunting Podcast and the founder of a coaching practice supporting corporate, nonprofit, and government professionals worldwide. She also lectures on career planning and design at Monash University and is an Enterprise Fellow at the University of Melbourne. With a background as a former CEO and executive leader, Renata brings practical insight, empathy, and strategic thinking to job search and career planning for experienced professionals.    https://www.renatabernarde.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/renatabernarde/ https://www.youtube.com/@renatabernarde https://open.spotify.com/show/7kmWFQN3y8WyEqsm99UKlk https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-job-hunting-podcast/id1481423500 https://www.instagram.com/stories/renatabernarde.co/

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• 108. The Secret to Career Growth: Learning to Emotionally Detach

  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, focus your energy where it actually drives results, and let go of the constant need to fix everyone else’s problems. Kendall also shares her personal “Future Self Cheat Sheet,” a simple framework to help you build identity, structure, and joy outside of work—so your career doesn’t consume your entire sense of self. ✨ In this episode, we discuss: How to emotionally detach from work without feeling lazy or disengaged What daily habits prevent burnout and build long-term success Why “swooping and saving” your team only fuels exhaustion How to create your own “Future Self Cheat Sheet” What emotional detachment really looks like for high performers 👉 Improve your self advocacy: https://stan.store/thatcareercoach/p/get-my-promotion-guide-now ⭐️Get our FREE Accomplishments Tracker: https://fabulous-butterfly-83716.myflodesk.com/n8yzvrtw9v  That Career Coach Want to know more about Kendal Berg, that career coach? Follow her on Instagram: @thatcareercoach_ Check out her courses on the website: https://thatcareercoach.net/    

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• 107. The Secret to Leadership Confidence No One Teaches You with Sara Anderson

  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 one teaches you in corporate training. Sara explains how nervous system regulation directly impacts clarity, vocal control, and body language. She shares a client story of a senior leader who broke through a years-long ceiling after mastering these techniques, proving that leadership isn’t about credentials alone—it’s about resonance. Together, Kendall and Sara reveal how trust, likability, and authentic connection matter far more than polished perfection when it comes to career growth. In this episode, we discuss: How can nervous system regulation improve leadership confidence? Why does likability matter more than technical skills for career growth? What visualization exercises actually reduce anxiety before big meetings? How do gender dynamics and bias impact visibility at work? What mindset shifts help leaders move from polished to truly authentic? ⭐️Get our FREE Accomplishments Tracker: https://fabulous-butterfly-83716.myflodesk.com/n8yzvrtw9v  That Career Coach Want to know more about Kendal Berg, that career coach? Follow her on Instagram: @thatcareercoach_ Check out her courses on the website: https://stan.store/thatcareercoach   💡 About Sara Anderson Sara Anderson is the founder of Lead Out Loud and the creator of The Resonance Method™, a science-backed leadership framework that helps high-performing women master the unspoken dynamics of corporate influence. Her unique approach teaches the invisible forces that separate leaders who struggle from those who seem to effortlessly command rooms and get results. Sara has coached executives at companies like Adobe, Workday, and Cerity Partners, helping them decode the hidden rules of corporate power and influence with authenticity. She specializes in helping ambitious professionals move beyond traditional "executive presence" training to master the psychology and strategy behind magnetic leadership—perfect for anyone ready to play the career game at a higher level. Website Instagram LinkedIn Profile  

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• 106. Corporate Politics and Career Growth—The Truth No One Tells You

  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 how to navigate the politics of influence without losing yourself. She shares tactical strategies for identifying power centers, mapping allies and rivals, managing conflict with integrity, and building trust that lasts. Whether you’re aiming for Director, VP, or C-suite, this episode is your roadmap for turning politics from a career roadblock into a career advantage. 👉 In this episode, we discuss: How do you know if avoiding politics is holding back your career? What are the three pillars of corporate politics everyone should master? How do you identify the true power players in your company? What’s the best way to handle rivals and protect your reputation? How can leaders build trust and advocate for their teams effectively?

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