The Cost of Being "Too Good" at Your Job

Want to know one thing that held me back in my career?

For years, I knew I was smart and incredibly dedicated to my work. But even with all of that, I often felt like I wasn’t moving forward the way I expected. I watched peers advance, sometimes more quickly than I did, and I couldn’t quite understand why.

Looking back, I can now see the real issue:  I was focused on my job, but I wasn’t building my career. And that distinction mattered far more than I realized at the time.

Like many high-achievers - and especially women - I worked tirelessly. I poured myself into supporting my team, my senior leaders, and my company. I believed that if I kept performing at a high level, the right opportunities would naturally come my way.

But here’s the truth I learned the hard way:

When you're constantly in execution mode, you're too busy doing the work to elevate yourself beyond it. 
And if you're not intentional, your brilliance can become invisible.

I didn’t have a career strategy not because I wasn’t ambitious, but because no one had ever taught me that high performance alone isn’t what moves you into senior roles.

Meanwhile, others were building relationships, increasing their visibility, and positioning themselves for what was next. And those were the people chosen for advancement.

What I eventually learned

It was when I invested in my personal growth, leadership development and working with coaches that things changed for me.  That's when I understood that hard work alone wasn’t enough. 

In fact, being excellent at your job can sometimes keep you in your job.  When you’re indispensable exactly where you are, leaders may hesitate to move you.

And when you’re always in execution mode, not building relationships with the people who influence opportunities, you can unintentionally become invisible.

I was doing the work… but not positioning myself for recognition at the next level of executive leadership.

Shift from job-focused to career-strategic

Through my own growth and later through coaching hundreds of leaders (and especially women leaders), I learned something fundamental:  career advancement isn’t about doing more.  It’s about being strategic. 

The job-focused version of me used to ask, “How can I deliver more?" 
The career-focused version of me learned to ask, “How can I deliver and position myself for what’s next?” 

Once I started asking the right questions, everything changed.  It didn’t happen overnight  but consistently and intentionally.

What I teach my clients today

Now, I help my clients avoid the same trap. One of the simplest and most powerful practices I share is building in weekly “career strategy time.” This is a 30 minute weekly appointment with yourself.

During that time, I encourage them to consider:
    •    Who are the key decision-makers I need to build relationships with?
    •    How am I showing up in ways that elevate my visibility and influence?
    •    What opportunities am I missing because I’m too deep in execution?

Strategic leaders don’t wait to be chosen. 
They shape the path ahead of them intentionally, consistently, and with clarity.

When you strengthen this habit, along with the other leadership shifts I teach, you don’t just move to the next level of executive leadership. You lead your career with the confidence and intentionality of someone who knows exactly where they’re going

Ready to be more strategic and rise in your executive leadership?

If you’re done relying on hard work alone and you’re ready to position yourself for the opportunities you know you’re capable of, let’s talk.

I offer a complimentary strategy consultation where we’ll take a clear, grounded look at:
    •    Where you are today
    •    The leadership identity you’re stepping into
    •    The strategic shifts that will move you from overlooked to undeniable 

It’s a focused, high-impact 30 minute conversation designed to help you see your career through a more strategic lens, the same approach I use with my executive clients. 

If you’re ready to elevate your influence, visibility, and leadership trajectory, I’d love to support you.
Schedule your complimentary strategy consultation here.