Uncensored CMO How not to get fired (from the world’s leading expert)
11 snips
Mar 30, 2026 Candid stories about being fired and the lessons those setbacks teach. Practical questions to ask your boss to avoid surprises. How to read company culture, politics, and whether you truly fit a high-growth role. Advice on adapting work style, having tough conversations early, and aligning with company goals rather than ego.
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Politics Determine Performance Not Just Skill
- Organizational politics matter for survival and advancement.
- John Evans learned he was 'the best marketer' but lost his job because he couldn't navigate how decisions and power actually worked in the company.
Ask What Success Looks Like
- Ask clear questions about expectations and success to align with your boss.
- John Evans recommends checking in on 'what does success look like' and 'where are we going together' early and often.
Bookstore Rescue Turned 18 Year Career
- John Evans nearly quit after constant conflict with his boss but instead sought books for cultural insight.
- A librarian pointed him to Cultural Misunderstandings and he read it in a weekend, then stayed 18 years.