327. Unlocking Workplace Influence by Learning to Manage Up with Melody Wilding

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Episode 327. Unlocking Workplace Influence By Learning to Manage Up

Guest: Melody Wilding, Professor, author, and career coach

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC: Ever wonder why managing up feels more confusing—or downright daunting—than any other professional skill? This week, we’re diving into what managing up truly means with Melody Wilding, executive coach, licensed social worker, and bestselling author of “Trust Yourself” and “Managing Up”.

Managing up is not about “sucking up” or politics, but about taking charge of your own success, building alignment, and setting boundaries for sustainable, productive relationships—including with colleagues, clients, and even your board. Melody shares the essential, learnable skillsets that can help you move from overthinking and self-doubt into clarity, confidence, and influence at work—especially in our hybrid, matrixed workplaces.

We unpack her pivotal career moment (a surprise job termination!), discuss navigating imposter syndrome, the nuances of power dynamics, and practical scripts for feedback and visibility. Whether you have a boss or answer to a host of stakeholders, this episode will change how you think about influence and self-advocacy in your career journey.

ABOUT THIS WEEK’S GUEST: Melody Wilding is an executive coach, Licensed Social Worker (LMSW), speaker, author of Trust Yourself and Managing Up, and host of the “Psychology at Work” podcast. Melody specializes in helping sensitive high-achievers conquer self-doubt to become influential leaders. Her work is a blend of psychological insight and practical career strategies, and her mission is to help you harness your inner power in complex, people-driven environments.

KEY TOPICS AND WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE: THE TRUE DEFINITION OF MANAGING UP: Melody reframes managing up as an internal shift—focusing less on the boss, and more on self-advocacy, boundary setting, and creating your own conditions for success.

IMPOSTER SYNDROME & INTERNALIZING SUCCESS: Melody gives a new perspective on “imposter feelings,” sharing why high achievers struggle to internalize their accomplishments and how you can create your own “brag book” to counteract negativity bias.

NAVIGATING POWER DYNAMICS: Learn how to assess your “pushback power” and why self-awareness and situational savvy are key to setting boundaries at every level—from junior staff to seasoned executives.

THE ART OF ALIGNMENT: Discover the essential questions to reset and clarify alignment with your manager—what does success look like, what’s keeping your boss up at night, and how can you connect project work to the bigger picture?

COMMUNICATION & FEEDBACK SCRIPTS: Melody shares frameworks like “Problem, Action, Solution” and “We, then Me” that enable you to shine the spotlight strategically—promoting both team and personal wins without tipping into self-promotion overload.

VISIBILITY WITHOUT OVERDOING IT: Master ways to increase your internal and external visibility (even in hybrid and remote settings) through storytelling, results-based updates, and strategic networking. Bonus: learn Melody’s favorite hack for expanding your influence beyond the org chart.

This episode is packed with actionable advice, mindset shifts, and the inside track on navigating relationships at work— and in life — with more confidence and less second-guessing.

I can’t wait to hear from you! What’s your biggest managing up challenge or breakthrough? Reach out and let us know!

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