About Michael Wenderoth: Frustrated that you’re not getting ahead at work, or having the impact you seek? The real reason holding you back will surprise you, says Michael Wenderoth, executive coach. His provocative insights, featured in Harvard Business Review, challenge conventional wisdom by confronting an uncomfortable truth: that embracing office politics and influence is essential to advancing your career. The award-winning author of Get Promoted, Michael has helped thousands of professionals re-examine their assumptions about power, politics, and authenticity to accelerate their careers, become more effective at work, and break glass ceilings, many of their own creation. Michael is on a mission to help people get ahead, without having to sell their souls in the process. Prior to becoming an executive coach, Michael served 20 years in senior roles, bringing breakthroughs to market in China, the US, and Europe. He holds an MBA from Stanford Business School and was trained as an executive coach at Columbia University. In this episode, Dean Newlund and Michael Wenderoth discuss: Networking and influence in leadership The role of authenticity and vulnerability Situational and adaptive leadership The intersection of AI and future leadership Career advancement and organizational politics Key Takeaways: Many capable leaders are overlooked because they avoid networking and political skills, which are crucial for advancement. Influence and power are neutral tools that can be used ethically, yet many “good people” resist using them due to negative associations. Overemphasizing authenticity and vulnerability without strategic awareness can leave leaders exposed and even derailed. AI has the potential to both reduce bias and amplify existing organizational problems, making hybrid human-AI leadership a necessity. "Power and influence are like fire. Fire is nothing more than a force, and you can use it to burn the whole place down, but you could also use it to feed the entire village and illuminate the entire city.” — Michael Wenderoth Connect with Michael Wenderoth:  Website: https://changwenderoth.com Book: Get Promoted: https://changwenderoth.com/book/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelchangwenderoth/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/mcwenderoth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mwenderoth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wenderoth.michael/ See Dean’s TedTalk “Why Business Needs Intuition” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEq9IYvgV7I Connect with Dean: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgqRK8GC8jBIFYPmECUCMkw Website: https://www.mfileadership.com/ The Mission Statement E-Newsletter: https://www.mfileadership.com/blog/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannewlund/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/deannewlund Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissionFacilitators/ Email: dean.newlund@mfileadership.com Phone: 1-800-926-7370 Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.