Managing Up Without Sucking Up: Insights from Melody Wilding

Send us a text In this episode, host Joe sits down with Melody Wilding, an executive coach and author of Managing Up: How To Get What you Need From the People In Charge   to explore the dynamics of power, status, and influence in the workplace. Melody shares practical strategies for managing up effectively, not by being a sycophant, but by building stronger relationships, communicating with confidence, and navigating workplace dynamics with integrity. Together they discussWhat it really means to “manage up” (Hint: it’s not about being a suck-up)Why proximity to power can distort your focus—and how to avoid the status trapThe importance of upward empathy and understanding your boss’s pressuresHow to adapt to different leadership styles to build stronger relationshipsThe power of the “ME Manual” and why self-awareness is key to successHow to set boundaries at work—without damaging your reputationThe concept of “Pushback Power” and how to know when (and how) to say no Whether you work in the military, corporate world, or any hierarchical environment, this conversation will help you become a more effective leader from wherever you stand. A special thanks to this week"s sponsors! Veteran-founded Adyton. Step into the next generation of equipment management with Log-E by Adyton. Whether you are doing monthly inventories or preparing for deployment, Log-E is your pocket property book, giving real-time visibility into equipment status and mission readiness. Learn more about how Log-E can revolutionize your property tracking process here! FightCamp is the largest boxing and kickboxing community in the world. Their innovative fitness system combines real-time tracking, professional coaching, and an extensive workout library of over 3,000 sessions.  Family-Friendly Access: Supports multiple user profiles under one subscription. Flexible Membership: After the trial, members can continue on a month-to-month basis with no contract obligations. To get the exclusive FREE offer and an additional 15% off accessories, email Joe@fromthegreennotebook for a listeners-only discount code at checkout.  Free FightCamp Package: Includes punch trackers, quick wraps, and a 45-day membership trial to the FightCamp app. We will cover the shipping and taxes too (a $278 value per redemption).