What if your talent isn’t what’s holding you back—it’s your attitude?
I remember storming into my boss’s office, certain I deserved a promotion. I was talented, productive, and driven. So why wasn’t I being recognized?
He looked me dead in the eye and said, “You’re right. You’re the most skilled on the team. But if I promoted you, they’d all quit.”
Ouch.
The Story
That was the day I realized leadership isn’t about being the best on paper. It’s about the energy you bring, the way you treat people, and whether anyone actually wants to follow you.
At the time, I thought I was doing everything right. But the truth was—I was ambitious for me, not for the team. I wanted the title, not the responsibility. That conversation woke me up fast.
The Trap
Here’s the trap: being good at your job makes you visible, but it doesn’t make you valuable as a leader.
I was respected for my skill but resented for my arrogance. I thought I was “helping” people, but I wasn’t doing it for the right reasons. There’s a big difference between checking boxes and truly caring.
Until people believe you care about them, not just their performance, you’ll never be someone they choose to follow.
The Fix
After that moment, I shifted my mindset from “me” to “we.”
I started investing in people. Nights, weekends—whatever it took. I mentored them, supported them, showed up for them without expecting anything in return.
And slowly, everything changed.
When I finally earned the leadership role, they didn’t roll their eyes—they applauded. Because this time, they saw someone who had earned their trust, not just someone chasing a title.
Want to make the same shift?
-
Drop the ego. Start with honest feedback—even when it stings.
-
Lead with heart. Ask yourself, “Do they know I care?” If not, fix it fast.
-
Serve before you lead. Real leaders go first—especially when it’s hard.
Your Challenge
The hardest advice I ever got? “They respect your skills. But they don’t like you.”
That truth stung—but it shaped me into the leader I am today. So here’s your challenge:
Ask someone you trust: What’s the toughest thing I need to hear right now?
Then act on it—today.