Have you ever wondered why someone with less experience or smaller skill sets seems to rise through the corporate ranks faster than you? You might also be tired of playing small as a highly intelligent individual.
It’s not because they’re smarter. In fact, it’s often the opposite. The truth is, you’re probably playing small because of the stories you’re telling yourself about what you deserve or how the game works.
Highly intelligent people often face a unique challenge: they think the system will reward them for their intellect alone, or that the best solution is always the most logical one. The truth? That’s not how the corporate world works.
The Hidden Barriers Keeping You Small in the Corporate Game
It’s easy to assume that the harder you work, the more success you’ll achieve. But in reality, intelligence alone isn’t enough. Here’s why:
- You’re too humble – You think if you just work hard and stay under the radar, the recognition will come. But the corporate game rewards visibility. No one can promote you if they don’t know what you’ve accomplished.
- You fear being too ambitious – You worry that if you push for more, you’ll be seen as self-serving or arrogant. But in reality, the people who rise quickly are strategic about their goals and know how to position themselves.
- You’re afraid to play the game – You may have internalized the belief that corporate politics is unethical, or that it’s beneath you. But the truth is, politics is part of the game, and learning to play it doesn’t make you less intelligent—it makes you strategic.
- You don’t know how to navigate power dynamics – Often, you’re so focused on doing your job well that you forget to manage your relationships with the key people in your organization. Leaders rise by understanding and manipulating corporate power dynamics, not just by doing excellent work.
Here’s the thing: you don’t need to change who you are to succeed. You just need to shift your approach and learn how to play the corporate game strategically.
How to Play the Game (And Win)
Let’s break it down with some real-world tactics, based on the same psychological principles used by the CIA to recruit spies and influence people:
1️⃣ The MICE Framework – How You’re Being Controlled
The CIA’s MICE framework (Money, Ideology, Compromise, Ego) is just as effective in corporate environments as it is in espionage.
- Money: They’ll pay you just enough to keep you from leaving, but not enough to make you feel comfortable.
- Ideology: You’re told to buy into the company’s “culture” or “family,” but that ideology keeps you loyal and compliant.
- Compromise: They make you believe leaving would destroy your reputation or your career.
- Ego: Instead of giving you a raise, they give you a new title, making you feel special while leaving your pay stagnant.
Recognizing these patterns is the first step to playing smarter, not harder.
2️⃣ Visibility = Power
Your intelligence alone won’t get you promoted. Visibility will. If no one sees the value you bring, how can they promote you?
- Stop staying in the shadows—speak up in meetings. Frame your accomplishments in a way that highlights your impact on the organization’s bottom line.
- Reframe your work: Instead of “I handle reports,” say, “I drive insights that directly influence our revenue strategy.”
3️⃣ The Power of Saying ‘Not Yet’
Too many high achievers say ‘yes’ too quickly—this devalues your time and makes you seem eager, not authoritative. Start taking control over your time and commitments by saying:
- “Let me check my schedule and get back to you.”
- “That sounds interesting—what’s the timeline?”
- “I’d love to help, but I need to prioritize this right now.”
Leaders don’t act out of urgency—they act out of strategy.
Taking control of your time also helps you pause and assess whether you have the capacity to take on more responsibility. It also gives you the opportunity to evaluate how valuable it is to the company that you do so—and how you should be rewarded for it.
4️⃣ Strategic Reciprocity: Use This to Get Ahead
People feel obligated to return favors—it’s hardwired into human psychology. If you give strategically, you’ll find people more willing to support you in return.
- Compliment someone’s idea in a meeting → They’ll be more likely to support yours later.
- Credit your boss in public → They’ll feel more inclined to advocate for you when the time comes.
5️⃣ Control Your Narrative
You’re already smart enough for that next promotion. But unless you start framing your story strategically, no one will recognize it. Leaders don’t wait to be noticed—they make themselves impossible to ignore.
You have everything it takes to succeed—you just need to shift your mindset and play the game like you’re meant to.
Next Steps
If you’re really tired of playing small as a highly intelligent individual, take action this week. Start applying these tactics at your job and see how your career trajectory shifts. Remember: you’re not stuck, you just need to play smarter.
Connect with me on LinkedIn where I’ll be sharing these insights, including TikToks about playing the corporate game—even if the US TikTok ban arrives. I’ll be diving deeper into why intelligent individuals hold themselves back and what can be done to shift those negative self-beliefs and finally break free from playing small.
You can also watch my very first Youtube video in English:
What do you want to learn about next? What challenges are you currently facing?
Let’s get you to the top,
Katarina
P.S. If you want to work with me 1:1, check out my coaching program for highly intelligent individuals here.