In this third installment with Gen X executive coach Jennifer Selby Long, we zoom in on one of the messiest, most misunderstood realities of modern work: office politics. 

Jennifer breaks down why politics often stem less from individual egos and more from structural dysfunction, emotional disconnection, and leadership blind spots—especially in hybrid teams. She explains how outdated views of leadership, chronic misalignment, and even cost-cutting decisions like slashed T&E budgets can quietly poison team trust. But this isn’t just a takedown—Jennifer arms listeners with a real-world playbook to navigate power struggles without becoming part of the problem. 

For seasoned professionals tired of performative team building and empty culture talk, this episode reframes politics not as inevitable—but as solvable.

>>Politics ≠ Power-Hungry People

“The majority of leaders are not political animals.”

Jennifer challenges the stereotype that all office politics are about ego—revealing how misaligned strategy and trust gaps often create dysfunction.

>>Remote Work’s Invisible Cost

“You might not feel like getting on that plane… but complex decisions require in-person time.”

She explains how budget cuts, virtual distance, and hybrid habits are quietly damaging team cohesion.

>>Toxic by Design

“I’ve worked with clients who were pretty mercenary at first… but some became the most dedicated leaders.”

What happens when cold-blooded management isn’t an accident—but a strategy?

>>Five Moves to Navigate a Political Culture

“Stop venting. Start observing.”

Jennifer offers a practical five-step approach to surviving—and even reshaping—a political workplace, starting with curiosity, not complaints.

>>Why Some People Don’t Struggle with Politics at All

“There’s a portion of the population just wired to be unbothered by it.”

From temperament to neural wiring, she explains why some Gen Xers are naturally equipped to handle the drama without burnout.

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Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Jennifer Selby Long

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