In this episode of How I Met Your Data Today, hosts Anjali and Junaid sit down with financial services industry veteran Julia Bardmesser about the significance of political capital in data leadership. Julia shares insights from her 25-year career, working across major institutions such as Bloomberg, Citi, Deutsche Bank, and Voya Financial, before founding her strategic advisory firm. She clarifies what political capital is (and isn't) and how it affects the ability to drive data and AI initiatives within organizations. The discussion covers identifying key relationships, managing obstructionists, the importance of high EQ, and tactical advice on when and how to spend political capital effectively. Julia emphasizes that delivering real value to the organization is the cornerstone of building lasting political capital. The conversation is filled with real-life examples and lessons learned, making it a must-listen for data professionals and leaders navigating corporate landscapes.