Dealing With Difficult Bosses? Here’s How to Flip the Power Dynamic

Negotiate Anything

American Negotiation Institute

Business, Self-improvement, Education

4.7 • 747 Ratings

🗓️ 6 May 2026

⏱️ 67 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overlooked, or frustrated at work — this is the episode that changes how you play the game. In this masterclass episode, we dive deep into the uncomfortable, often unspoken art of managing up — and why most people get it wrong. From reframing your boss as your “most important customer” to navigating toxic leadership and workplace conflict, this episode delivers practical, real-world strategies you can actually use. You’ll hear powerful insights on how to: Influence your boss without triggering defensiveness Turn frustration into productive, business-focused conversations Address toxic behavior—whether it’s your manager or a difficult colleague Speak up early (before problems spiral) and reclaim your power at work Navigate high-stakes conversations—even in remote environments This episode goes beyond theory. It’s about mindset shifts, courageous conversations, and the reality that sometimes, the most powerful move isn’t changing your boss — it’s changing how you show up. Because at the end of the day, managing up isn’t about control. It’s about clarity, strategy, and knowing when to stand your ground.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to this masterclass edition of Negotiate Anything. With over 1,700 episodes featuring some of the world's brightest minds, we've carefully curated a couple of powerful conversations for you.
0:11.7	What makes this so special is that you'll hear how different experts from different industries approach the same challenge in their own unique ways.
0:19.8	Our goal is to give you multiple perspectives so you can build their own unique ways. Our goal is to give you multiple perspectives
0:22.5	so you can build your own unique style. Success doesn't look the same for everyone, and in this
0:28.0	masterclass, you'll see exactly why. Let's dive in. This episode is brought to you by Granola, Quince, homeserv, and by Shopify.
0:42.6	If meetings are eating up your day, granola is a no-brainer.
0:46.0	Get three months for free at granola.a.a.i slash Kwami.
0:49.4	By Quince. Refresh your every day with luxury you'll actually use.
0:53.4	Head to quince.com slash quami for free shipping and 365-day returns.
0:58.1	Now available in Canada 2.
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1:04.5	Plans start at just $4.99 a month. Sign up today at homeserve.com.
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1:14.6	month for your first year. Terms apply on covered repairs. And by Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per
1:20.3	month trial at Shopify.com slash Kwami. That's Shopify.com slash Kwami. Dave, thanks for joining us today. Hey, Kwami. Good slash Kwame.
1:29.4	Dave, thanks for joining us today.
1:31.5	Hey, Kwame, good to be back.
1:32.8	Thanks so much for the invitation.
1:33.8	Yeah, man. It's my pleasure.
1:34.6	It's always great having you on the show.
1:36.4	So for those of you who don't remember, let's get an introduction.
1:39.8	So tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do.
	...

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