Bad Blood at Work: Living with Ghosts of Clout, Climb, and Corporate VoicePodcast: The WorkstiesHosts: Jennifer Francine Smith & Danielle GaileySponsored by: socialjobs.comEpisode Summary:
In Episode 20 of The Worksties, Jennifer and Danielle channel the energy of Taylor Swift's Bad Blood to dive into the ghosts we live with at work: former alliances, lost integrity, performative leadership, and the politics of the climb.
They explore the subtle...and not-so-subtle...corporate conflicts that arise when ambition, image, and organizational loyalty collide. From internal voice shifts to the dynamics of who gets to be seen as visionary, this episode pulls back the curtain on what really happens when leaders reposition themselves in the race for influence.Whether you're navigating legacy systems, emerging innovation, or trying to hold on to integrity while others play the perception game, this is your backstage pass to the new world of work. They also cover the evolution of recruiting tech, why imagination is the missing leadership skill, and how to discern real change from strategy cosplay.Key Timestamps:
00:00 – Life Path 2: The collaborator, the climber, and the corporate "dance off"
02:27 – When strategy shifts: Two leaders gunning for the same rung05:01 – Internal loyalty wars and the politics of perception07:15 – Legacy leadership vs. innovation: When blockers become "believers"10:07 – Vendor vs. labor: Redefining partnerships in a new era of tech13:32 – Recruiters, AI, and the risk of bolting on vs. building new17:50 – Do visionary leaders evolve—or just pivot for clout?23:29 – Scaling, burnout, and the personal risk of climbing too high28:13 – Social media and the illusion of support: Are those likes really loyal?34:12 – Authentic voice vs. strategic persona: Who are you when no one's watching?42:06 – The danger of being a loyalist leader in a world demanding change46:48 – Evolution, succession, and the courage to shift your inner circleSEO Keywords:corporate clout, career climb, leadership perception, internal competition, authentic leadership, change agents, TA innovation, AI recruiting strategy, organizational loyalty, political culture at work, succession politics, recruiter voice, scaling burnout, vendor partnership strategyListen now on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.Cue the music. Hold our drink. Let’s get into it. We’re about to say what you’re thinking…This Episode is Sponsored by Socialjobs.com Music Inspiration: https://youtu.be/QcIy9NiNbmo?si=C1IrRM8MsQD_pSxoShop Jennifer’s Store for Ausrine™ Products: https://ausrineskincare.com/TheWorkstiesThe Worksties email: theworksties@gmail.com Buy Us a Coffee! https://buymeacoffee.com/theworksties... Riverside Podcast Platform: https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaig.... Music from #Uppbeathttps://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/c.... License code: XBVTFXDPGBGOXHPR #TheWorksties #talent #trending #talentacquisition #Recruiting #WorkStories #Staffing #Hiring #realtalk #recruiting #talentbranding #employerbrand #influencermarketing #socialrecruiting #futureofwork #worksties #afterhours #recruitmentmarketing #realconnection #talentstrategy