What exactly is political intelligence? And why is it important to have in the workplace?

In Episode 130, Cari Guittard, Chief Strategy Officer & Partner at ChangeX & purposewerx and Leadership Professor at Hult International Business School, joins Melinda in a conversation around the constructive approach to addressing politics within the workplace. Drawing from her multiple experiences in the DEI, ESG, and political fields, Cari delves into practical tools to develop our political intelligence. She discusses why this skill set can be necessary for advancing our careers and positioning ourselves as purpose-driven leaders, the importance of curiosity in political conversations, and how it can enhance our situational awareness to adapt effectively to moments of transition or crisis. She also taps into how organizations can respond to anti-wokeness in a way that opens the door for creativity and creates positive change at work. 

About Cari Guittard (she/her)

Strategic purpose design, global thought leadership and high velocity social impact. Entrepreneurial within organizations galvanizing and building initiatives from scratch and externally, bringing unique opportunities, partners and resources together for purpose driven cross sector engagement.

The Un-Guided Missile. A nickname given to me by one of my former bosses and mentors for my relentless approach to connection, collaboration, and driving impact. From corporate diplomacy, political intelligence, foresight and futures strategy, women's leadership/gender intelligent design, ESG, DE&I, and next gen efforts. My brain is most on fire when I am engaged with clients building, branding and leveraging unique multi-discipline tri-sector partnerships (between government agencies, NGOs, companies and private citizens) to develop solutions to complex and urgent problems. And in doing so we make the world a better place. Together.

Award-Winning Professor. Keynote Speaker & Facilitator. Ghost Writer. Brand & Thought Leadership

An endless collector and distiller of wisdom and knowledge wherever I find it. Am most known for my external communications work -- as a speaker, facilitator, and writer -- even though I am also at home as a strategist, data analyst and researcher. Deeply passionate about applying branding principles, deep imagination and creative processes to every approach. I learned branding and the creative discipline directly from working with legends, seasoned leaders, and boards in the Advertising, Marketing and the Global PR space. Keith Reinhard, Charlotte Beers, Alan Siegel, Allen Rosenshine, John McNeel, Harris Diamond and Rich Edelman.

Purposeful, Practical, Global

In 2018, 2020, and 2021 Hult San Francisco awarded me The Most Inspirational Faculty and Faculty of the Year. It is an honor to be affiliated with and teach at Hult IBS and support the development of next gen global leaders. I develop and teach graduate leadership courses as well as electives in Political Intelligence for Work, Strategic Influence & Persuasion, Gender Intelligence, Crisis Management & International Negotiations.


For more about Empovia, visit empovia.co. There, you’ll also find educational resources and highlights from this episode.


Connect With Cari

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cariguittard/

Connect With Us

YouTube: youtube.com/@empovia
Twitter: twitter.com/empoviaco
Facebook: facebook.com/empovia
Instagram: instagram.com/empovia
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/empovia

Production Team

Creator & Host: Melinda Briana Epler
Co-Producers: Renzo Santos & Christina Swindlehurst Chan
Podcast Rocket: Rob Scheerbarth & Nina Rugeles


[Image description: LEA promo and photos of Cari Guittard, a White, cis gender female photographed in black and white with long blonde hair and dark button up shirt; and host Melinda Briana Epler, a White woman with blonde and red hair, glasses, red shirt, and black jacket.]

Navigating Politics In The Workplace With Cari Guittard

Empovia creates empowered learning and development solutions that drive inclusive and sustainable change.