When “good” becomes a trap
When you’re starting out, being the reliable one is often what gets you noticed. You’re the person who delivers what’s asked, does it properly, doesn’t let anything slip. And for a while, that’s exactly what’s needed. It builds trust. It builds a reputation.
But if you’re not careful, being “good” at work can become a kind of trap.
You can get so good at doing things right that you forget to ask whether you’re doing the right things. You stay focused on finishing tasks, keeping promises, ticking the boxes - and in the meantime, the real work of leadership, and the opportunities, move somewhere else.
Because leadership isn’t about perfect execution. Rather, it’s about judgment. It’s about knowing which tasks are worth doing, and which ones you might need to leave unfinished. It’s about backing ideas before they’re fully formed, speaking up when it would be easier to stay quiet, and letting go of doing everything well so you can focus on what matters most.
And the hard part is, it doesn’t feel good at first. It doesn’t feel neat or polished. It feels risky, and hence, uncomfortable. Like you’re stepping out of a role you know how to play and into something that doesn’t have a clear script.
But if you stay stuck trying to be good, you’ll miss your chance to have a real impact. And, you’ll exhaust yourself trying to live up to a version of success that keeps getting narrower.
Real traction in your career often starts when you’re willing to let go of being the best at what you were taught to do – and start choosing what you’re really here to do. Yes?
Until next week, take care of yourself and others
Madeleine
I help accomplished professionals untangle difficult career questions so they can thrive in work and life.
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