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Early in my career, I thought hard work was enough.
I said yes to everything. I stayed late. I kept a full plate. But a year in, I looked around and saw others moving faster. They were in the right rooms, working on the projects leadership actually cared about and building relationships that changed their trajectory.
That’s when it clicked: effort gets you in the game, but awareness determines how far you go. Most careers don’t stall because people aren’t working hard. They stall because people don’t see how they’re actually showing up or how the organization really works.
Here’s what that looks like in practice and how to fix it.
The behaviors quietly holding you back
Most professionals assume they need more skills. In reality, it’s often small behaviors that create the biggest drag. One of the most common is what I call “hero storytelling.” Taking individual credit for team outcomes. Saying “I” instead of “we.” It might feel harmless, but over time, it erodes trust and makes collaboration harder.
Another is how people handle feedback. High performers use it. Others defend against it. The difference shows up quickly. If your instinct is to explain instead of reflect, you’re slowing your own growth.
Then there’s decision hesitation. Constantly escalating small decisions signal uncertainty. Leaders don’t just look for execution; they look for judgment. All of these come back to the same issue: a gap between how you see yourself and how others experience you.
If you want a quick reset, try this this week:
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