Why do some people get promoted while others stay stuck—despite working just as hard?
In this powerful re-release episode of the Live Greatly podcast, Kristel Bauer sits down with workplace expert Michelle P. King Ph.D. to break down the hidden dynamics behind career advancement, promotions, and success at work.
If you're looking to grow your career, strengthen your leadership skills, and stand out in today's competitive workplace, this conversation is packed with insights you can start using right away.
Dr. King shares key concepts from her book How Work Works: The Subtle Science of Getting Ahead Without Losing Yourself, including how informal networks, self-awareness, and social dynamics play a major role in who advances—and why.
In This Episode, You'll Learn:
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Why some people get promoted faster than others
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The hidden factors influencing career advancement
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How to build and leverage informal networks at work
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The role of self-awareness in leadership and career growth
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Common relationship dynamics that create stress at work
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Practical ways to improve how you work with others
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Why high performers don't always get ahead—and how to change that
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A powerful approach to asking better questions for feedback
Whether you're an emerging leader, seasoned professional, or someone looking to take the next step in your career, this episode offers valuable strategies to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
ABOUT MICHELLE KING Ph.D:
Dr. Michelle P. King is a globally recognized expert on inequality and organizational culture. Based on over a decade's worth of research, Michelle believes that we need to learn how workplaces work, so we can make them work for everyone. She is the host of a popular podcast called The Fix. Michelle is the author of the bestselling, award-winning book: The Fix: Overcome the Invisible Barriers that are Holding Women Back at Work.
Her second book, How Work Works: The Subtle Science of Getting Ahead Without Losing Yourself, publishes internationally on October 10th, 2023 (HarperCollins).
Michelle is an award-winning academic with five degrees including a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Organizational Psychology, a Master of Arts in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, a Master of Business Administration, a Postgraduate Degree in Journalism and a PhD in Management. Michelle is pursuing a post-doctoral research fellowship with Cranfield University in the United Kingdom.
In addition, Michelle is an award winning speaker, having spoken at over 500 events worldwide including conferences like the Nobel Peace Prize Conference, Ellevate Network Conference, The Massachusetts Conference for Women, Texas Conference for Women, SXSW, She Summit and the Pennsylvania Conference for Women.
Michelle is represented by London Speakers Bureau and regularly hosts keynotes, fireside chats or masterclasses with companies like, Amazon, FIFA, Guardian, Dior, FedEx, Netflix, BNP Paribas, JP Morgan, Morgan Stanley and Met Life to name a few. Michelle is the founder of The Culture Practice, a global consultancy that provides leaders with the assessment, development, and inclusion coaching needed to build cultures that value difference. In addition, Michelle is a Senior Advisor to the UN Foundation's Girl Up Campaign, where she leads the NextGen Leadership Development Program, which enables young women to navigate and overcome the barriers to their success. Before this, Michelle was the Director of Inclusion at Netflix. Before that, she was the head of UN Women's Global Innovation Coalition for Change, which includes managing over 30 private sector partnerships to accelerate the achievement of gender equality and women's empowerment. Michelle has two decades of international experience working in the private sector.
Website: https://www.michellepking.com
Book: https://www.michellepking.com/how-work-works/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michellepenelopeking
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellepenelopeking/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/michellepking
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellepking/?originalSubdomain=uk
Hosted by Kristel Bauer, keynote speaker, author, and performance expert.
Book Kristel for Your Event or Team
Bring these strategies to your organization:
👉 https://www.livegreatly.co/contact
Kristel delivers high-impact keynotes on:
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Peak performance
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Burnout prevention
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Leadership development
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Workplace well-being
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Sustainable success
📘 Order Kristel's Book
Work-Life Tango: Finding Happiness, Harmony, and Peak Performance Wherever You Work (John Murray Business, November 19, 2024)
Work-Life Tango: Finding Happiness, Harmony and Peak Performance Wherever You Work (John Murray Business, November 19th 2024)
About the Host of the Live Greatly podcast, Kristel Bauer:
Kristel Bauer is a corporate wellness and performance expert, keynote speaker, and TEDx speaker who delivers engaging, science-backed keynotes that drive measurable results for organizations. With a rare combination of clinical medical training and real-world business expertise, Kristel helps leaders and teams improve performance, resilience, well-being, and workplace culture—without burnout.
As an Integrative Medicine Fellow and Physician Assistant with clinical experience in Integrative Psychiatry, Kristel brings medical credibility and evidence-based insight to the stage. She translates cutting-edge research on mindset, behavior change, and peak performance into practical, actionable strategies audiences can immediately apply. Her high-energy keynotes are tailored to support leadership development, team engagement, productivity, and sustainable success—while inspiring audiences to "Live Greatly."
Kristel is the award-winning author of Work-Life Tango: Finding Happiness, Harmony, and Peak Performance Wherever You Work (John Murray Business, November 19, 2024) and the creator and host of the globally ranked self-improvement podcast Live Greatly. She is a contributing writer for Entrepreneur, was named a Forbes Top 10 Social Media Influencer, and was recognized as a 2026 Top Impact Speaker by Real Leaders—highlighting her influence at the intersection of leadership, well-being, and business performance.
Kristel's prior clients include AbbVie, BP, Cognizant Technology, General Mills, Home Depot, Santander Bank, among many more. She has appeared on major media outlets including NBC News Daily, ABC News Live, FOX Weather, ABC 7 Chicago, and WGN Daytime Chicago. Based in the Chicago area and available for engagements worldwide, Kristel Bauer is an ideal keynote speaker for conferences, events and leadership summits seeking a dynamic, medically credible voice on peak performance, happiness, well-being, and leadership in today's workplace.
Additional Links: -
Order Kristel's Book, Work-Life Tango: Finding Happiness, Harmony and Peak Performance Wherever You Work.
Kristel Bauer's Media Reel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnyjqcHpn6A&t=44s
To Book Kristel as a speaker for your next event, click here.
Website: www.livegreatly.co
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Disclaimer: The contents of this podcast are intended for informational and educational purposes only. Always seek the guidance of your physician for any recommendations specific to you or for any questions regarding your specific health, your sleep patterns changes to diet and exercise, or any medical conditions. Always consult your physician before starting any supplements or new lifestyle programs. All information, views and statements shared on the Live Greatly podcast are purely the opinions of the authors, and are not medical advice or treatment recommendations. They have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. Opinions of guests are their own and Kristel Bauer & this podcast does not endorse or accept responsibility for statements made by guests. Neither Kristel Bauer nor this podcast takes responsibility for possible health consequences of a person or persons following the information in this educational content. Always consult your physician for recommendations specific to you.
