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In the glossy brochures and sanitised speeches, companies tell us they value integrity, teamwork, and doing the right thing. But step behind the shiny glass walls, and you'll discover an entirely different game-a brutal, unapologetic version of corporate Snakes and Ladders.
In this game, the snakes are well-fed, the ladders are rigged, and the best climbers are often those willing to stamp on anything-or anyone-in their path.
In "Winning Ugly," bestselling author and seasoned executive coach Mark Powell rips the mask off the modern corporate world, exposing why "nice guys" don't make it to the C-suite while empire-building opportunists thrive.
Drawing on decades of experience coaching leaders in boardrooms and break rooms across the globe, Powell dissects the ruthless strategies that elevate the manipulators, empire-builders, and Machiavellian masterminds to the top while leaving good, hard-working people in the shadows.
Here's what you'll find inside this brutally honest book:
-Why the Corporate 'Values' Are Just Lip Service: Words like ethics and courage might decorate posters in the conference room, but Powell shows how those ideals rarely survive the collision with personal ambition and political gamesmanship.
-The Empire-Builders' Playbook: Explore the dirty tactics used by those who rule. From securing "loyal" followers to weaponising office gossip, you'll see precisely how these corporate warlords build empires that shield their lousy behaviour.
-The Real Ladders to Success (Spoiler: There's a Snake Nearby): Forget meritocracy-learn how informal networks, political alliances, and well-timed back-stabbing often dictate who's chosen for top roles and who's left behind.
-Why Good Guys Finish Last-but Not Always: Powell doesn't just shine a light on the ugliness; he offers sharp strategies for navigating this hostile environment while keeping your sanity (and soul) intact.
This book isn't a cry for the 'nice guys'-it's a survival guide.
For those who've watched less competent but more cunning colleagues sail past them. For leaders sick of saying "better together" when they know their teams are deeply divided. For the good people who refuse to play dirty but still want to play smart.
"Winning Ugly" doesn't sugarcoat corporate life, but it gives you the hard truths and sharp insights to survive it-and maybe even change the game. Powell's trademark wit and no-nonsense style pull no punches, showing readers how to succeed with open eyes in a world where values are optional and power is everything.
