The Next-Level Paycheck

Office politics isn’t optional — it’s part of leadership.
In this episode, I share real stories about planting a rumor, navigating backroom deals, using the grapevine strategically, and learning how power actually moves inside organizations. These aren’t textbook leadership lessons — they’re survival lessons.
We explore Machiavellian leadership, political strategy, and how to use soft skills, information control, and influence ethically to gain advantage in male-dominated workplaces.
If you’ve been stuck at the same level, feeling overlooked while others rise through politics, this conversation will change how you see leadership and power.
You’re not stuck because you’re incapable. You’re stuck because you’ve been doing it alone.
Take the leadership assessment and unlock your next level.

👇 Start now with the assessment:

Take $2000 Leadership Growth Assessment - https://dvjkmswy.formester.com/f/kxISU2H1H

Join 7 day Leadership Sprint - https://nblnhiao.formester.com/f/fgBS17zPA

Start 21 day Leadership Acceleration Series - https://dvjkmswy.formester.com/f/dyHbzaC1H

Free Ebooks Resource Hub - https://lindacureton.com/hub/

00:00 – I Planted a Rumor (Here’s Why)
00:19 – Using Politics to Your Advantage
00:39 – Leadership Assessment Invitation
01:19 – Positive vs Negative Office Politics
01:54 – What Is Machiavellian Leadership?
02:31 – Who Was Machiavelli?
03:26 – “The End Justifies the Means” Explained
04:16 – Manipulation vs Strategic Influence
05:27 – Understanding the Organizational Grapevine
06:18 – How I Used Gossip Strategically
06:35 – Lesson #2: Backroom Deals
07:09 – Decisions Made in the Men’s Room
07:48 – Golf Courses & Political Access
08:17 – The “Sugar Daddy” Story
08:54 – Lesson #3: Hoard Information Strategically
09:32 – Using Information at the Right Time
10:23 – You’re Not Stuck — You’re Doing It Alone
10:42 – Leadership Test & Next Steps

#OfficePolitics #WomenInLeadership #LeadershipSkills #CareerGrowth #Machiavelli #WorkplaceStrategy #ExecutivePresence #LeadershipDevelopment

You’re not stuck at $80K because you lack skills.
You’re stuck because the game changed — and no one told you.
If you’re a high-performing, mid-career woman who keeps doing everything “right” but still isn’t crossing into six figures, this conversation will shift how you see leadership.
AI changes weekly.
The workplace is unstable.
Status quo thinking no longer gets rewarded.
The women who rise aren’t working harder.
They think differently.
In this episode, we unpack:
• Why operating in chaos is now a leadership advantage
• The critical thinking skill AI can’t replace
• How intuition must be backed by evidence
• The 90-day shift that changes your career trajectory
• Why doing it alone is keeping you small
You’re not incapable.
You’re under-positioned.
If you’re ready to stop reacting and start anticipating — this is your next move.

👇 Start now with the assessment:
Take $2000 Leadership Growth Assessment - https://dvjkmswy.formester.com/f/kxISU2H1H

Join 7 day Leadership Sprint - https://nblnhiao.formester.com/f/fgBS17zPA

Start 21 day Leadership Acceleration Series - https://dvjkmswy.formester.com/f/dyHbzaC1H

Free Ebooks Resource Hub - https://lindacureton.com/hub/

In today’s chaotic and uncertain world, traditional leadership no longer works. Inspiration alone isn’t enough when teams are facing shutdowns, instability, and rapid change.
In this powerful conversation, we dive into:
How leaders must shift from inspiration to sense-making

Why honesty beats false optimism during uncertainty

The real challenges women-owned businesses face with access to capital

Leadership development in the age of AI, complexity, and disruption

Why embracing your gifts and personal brand is essential for long-term impact

This episode is a must-watch for women leaders, founders, executives, and change-makers navigating complexity, pivoting their businesses, and leading teams through uncertainty.
👉 Take the Leadership Assessment mentioned in this episode to unlock clarity, momentum, and next-level growth.

00:00 – Leadership in the 21st Century Workforce
00:16 – Leading Through Uncertainty & Government Change
00:39 – Why Inspiration Fails During Chaos
01:00 – Sense-Making: The New Leadership Skill
01:24 – Helping Teams Fail Fast & Experiment
01:45 – Leadership Assessment & $2,000 Advantage
02:25 – Pivoting the Business for Growth
02:59 – Why Diversification Is Critical for Survival
03:17 – Leadership Development, AI & New Markets
03:59 – Succession Planning Challenges
04:44 – Rethinking Retirement & Long-Term Impact
05:02 – Writing, Teaching & Purpose Beyond Business
06:12 – Biggest Bottleneck: Access to Capital
06:50 – The Hidden Struggle of Women-Owned Businesses
07:44 – Marketing, Messaging & Brand Frustrations
08:22 – From Personal Brand to Legacy Company
09:29 – Squandering Your Own Gifts
10:02 – Accepting Coaching & Leadership Calling
10:55 – Leading in AI, Chaos & Complexity
11:46 – Why You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
12:09 – Final Leadership Invitation

👇 Start now with the assessment: Take $2000 Leadership Growth Assessment - https://dvjkmswy.formester.com/f/kxISU2H1HJoin 7 day Leadership Sprint - https://nblnhiao.formester.com/f/fgBS17zPAStart 21 day Leadership Acceleration Series - https://dvjkmswy.formester.com/f/dyHbzaC1HFree Ebooks Resource Hub - https://lindacureton.com/hub/

Do you feel stuck in fear, self-doubt, or uncertainty? In this video, we dive deep into a personal story of overcoming fear, building confidence, and taking action—whether it’s your first job or your next big challenge.

🎯 You’ll learn:
Why fear isn’t your enemy—it’s your signal for growth

How to take action even when you feel unqualified

The mindset shift that helped me sell with confidence

Why courage only exists because fear exists

How to measure your growth and success meaningfully

🚀 Join our FREE WhatsApp Leadership Growth Community:
👉 Get our 21-Day Leadership Acceleration Series
👉 Weekly Q&A, mentoring, and tools to lead with confidence
👉 Scan the QR code or click the link below to join now
👇 Comment below: What fear are YOU turning into courage this year?
#OvercomingFear #Courage #LeadershipGrowth #SelfDoubt #MindsetShift

Timestamps
00:00 – The creative value of reaching isolated people

00:16 – Let’s talk about fear and self-doubt

00:51 – Getting a part-time job at Sears

01:26 – I didn’t know what a drill guide was

01:45 – Learning to use and sell drill guides

02:58 – Measuring your growth: Money, lives changed, or impact

03:35 – Your fears are useless: Take the risk

03:54 – Turn fear into courage and action

04:15 – Join our FREE WhatsApp leadership community

SEO
Overcoming fear and self doubt

How to build confidence from scratch

Motivation to take action

Real life story of courage

Fear of failure and how to beat it

Growth mindset techniques

Leadership acceleration for beginners

Courage and confidence tips

First job interview success story

Turning fear into power

Do you ever wonder why some people succeed without talent, skills, or character?
In this real and powerful message, I break down the difference between temporary success and eternal significance. From Psalms 37 to real-life career pivots, she shares how:
Not all success is built to last

Impact matters more than image

The job you don’t want might be your biggest blessing

God can redirect your path to something greater

She speaks candidly about rejecting a coaching contract — only to have it become the foundation of her company’s success.

This is your reminder to stay faithful, humble, and open to divine redirection.

🙏🏾 Your job is to level up your skills. God's job is the outcome.
💡 Subscribe for more leadership insights, faith-based motivation, and real talk from the executive frontlines.

👇 Start now with the assessment: Take $2000 Leadership Growth Assessment - https://dvjkmswy.formester.com/f/kxISU2H1HJoin 7 day Leadership Sprint - https://nblnhiao.formester.com/f/fgBS17zPAStart 21 day Leadership Acceleration Series - https://dvjkmswy.formester.com/f/dyHbzaC1HFree Ebooks Resource Hub - https://lindacureton.com/hub/

00:00 – Why talent isn’t always tied to success

00:38 – Do these skills actually work?

01:26 – Psalms 37: Don’t envy temporary success

02:05 – Playing the long game: character > fame

03:01 – A “talentless” sermon that stayed with me for 20 years

04:05 – I didn’t want to be a coach… until I had no choice

05:06 – The contract I said “yes” to by accident

05:33 – That “small” contract unlocked everything

SEO - faith and success, leveling up skills, purpose over paycheck, god’s timing, career purpose, divine redirection, faith-based leadership, talentless success,