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Career Growth

How the Workplace Actually Works

The unwritten rules nobody tells you on day one — how decisions really get made, who to build trust with, and how to read a room before you speak.

Every organization runs on two systems: the one in the handbook, and the one that actually moves things forward. In this episode we pull back the curtain on the second one — the informal networks, the unspoken norms, and the quiet signals that shape who gets heard.

What we cover

  • Why the org chart rarely reflects real influence
  • How to identify the people who actually unblock work
  • Reading a room: cues to notice before you weigh in
  • Building trust deliberately in your first few months

Whether you're brand new or a few years in, you'll walk away with a clearer map of how work really works — and a few concrete moves to make this week.