The 7 Career Killers Hiding in Plain Sight 🫣

"For heaven's sake, Harvey, what the hell were you thinking?!"

The CEO's voice echoed down the corridor as I stood outside the meeting room, clutching my presentation folder and wondering where it had all gone wrong.

I'd spent weeks preparing a rock-solid strategy proposal. The data was impeccable, the forecasts conservative yet compelling, and I'd even rehearsed my delivery to perfection. Yet somehow, in the space of ten minutes, my brilliant plan had been torn to shreds.

What I didn't know then – but painfully discovered later – was that my proposal had inadvertently threatened a pet project of the CFO's closest ally. The decision to reject it had been made three days earlier over golf, long before I ever stepped foot in that meeting room.

Sound familiar? If you've ever felt blindsided by invisible forces at work, you're not alone. I've spent over 25 years navigating the treacherous waters of corporate politics across multiple industries, and I've learned that what happens below the waterline often matters more than what you can see on the surface.

Let me share the seven political undercurrents most never see until their career boat has capsized:

1. The Power Players You Don't See 👥

The org chart might show who has the titles, but real influence often flows through completely different channels. I once watched a junior executive with no direct reports systematically reshape an entire division simply because they had the COO's ear and trust.

What to do:

• Map the influence network in your organisation

• Note who gets consulted on key decisions

• Track who gets invited to "casual" lunches with leadership

• Observe whose opinions carry disproportionate weight

2. Closed-Door Career Killers 🚪

Your promotion isn't decided during your performance review. It's decided when you're not in the room. In those moments, who's speaking for you matters more than anything on your CV.

What to do:

• Build your army of advocates now, before you need them

• Make your work solve other people's problems

• Ensure your success makes others look good

• Cultivate champions who'll fight for you when you're not present

3. The Shadow Hierarchy 🕴️

Every organisation has its official structure and its shadow hierarchy. I once saw an executive assistant with more actual power than most directors because she controlled access to the CEO and knew what was happening across the entire business.

What to do:

• Observe whose ideas consistently get implemented regardless of position

• Connect with real influencers authentically

• Pay attention to gatekeepers (EAs, chiefs of staff, etc.)

• Understand which channels truly matter for decision-making

4. Information Blindspots 🔍

Being the last to know crucial information is a career killer. I've seen brilliant professionals stagnate simply because they were outside the informal communication networks where the real intel circulates.

What to do:

• Volunteer for cross-functional projects – they're intel goldmines

• Cultivate relationships across different departments

• Position yourself as a valuable source of insights for others

• Trade information wisely – it's a currency

5. The Silent Success Trap 🤫

Great work dies in silence. At one company, I watched an incredible market analysis go completely unnoticed while a mediocre project with excellent internal PR became the talk of the executive floor.

What to do:

• Showcase wins strategically without appearing boastful

• Share credit generously while ensuring your contributions remain visible

• Build your signal-to-noise ratio with selective, meaningful communication

• Focus visibility efforts on work that matters to decision-makers

6. The Relationship Reality 🤝

Who you know frequently trumps what you do. In my first corporate role, I watched talented individuals get passed over simply because they hadn't built the right relationships with decision-makers.

What to do:

• Build genuine connections before you need favours

• Be useful to others without immediate expectation of return

• Invest in relationships across and above your level

• Remember your network is your net worth, especially during challenges

7. The Invisible Rulebook 📖

Every organisation has unwritten rules that determine who succeeds. At one tech firm I worked with, technical brilliance was praised but strategic thinking was rewarded. Many engineers couldn't understand why their excellent code didn't lead to promotion.

What to do:

• Decode unwritten rules by studying who survives reorganisations

• Observe who gets promoted against expectations

• Identify the behaviours that get rewarded versus those merely praised

• Adapt your strategy to the real rules, not the stated ones

The harsh truth is that your brilliant work means nothing if these invisible dynamics work against you. I learned this the hard way during that catastrophic presentation years ago, but it became one of the most valuable lessons of my career.

Take Action Now:

1. Map your organisation's influence network this week. Who really drives decisions? Where does information flow?

2. Identify your blindspots – which information circles are you outside of? What can you do to get inside them?

3. Build your advocacy army by making your successes solve others' problems. Who would speak up for you in a closed-door meeting?

Remember, ignoring office politics doesn't make you noble – it makes you vulnerable.

Understanding these dynamics isn't about playing dirty; it's about navigating reality effectively.

Keep on rockin',

Harvey.

Hey there 👋🏻

I’m not sure if you knew this, but I support CMOs and product marketing leaders with key projects when things get busy or stretched internally.

Lately, that’s looked like:

• LinkedIn strategy for Basis Technologies

• Messaging and sales pitch development at Preply

• Market research for a $1B Payroll/HR leader

If there’s ever anything I can support you on - even just as a sounding board, feel free to get in contact with me.

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