Why High Performers Get Stuck Before Reaching VP—and How to Break Through
If you’ve ever felt stuck in your career, wondering why you haven’t been tapped for a VP role despite your hard work, you’re not alone.
Many talented professionals spend sleepless nights worrying about why they’re not moving up (after comparing themselves to colleagues and friends).
Marshall Goldsmith even wrote a book called What Got You Here Won’t Get You There that explains why so few people make it to the top.
It’s not because they’re not smart enough, hardworking enough, or don’t have an MBA. The real reason? They don’t realize that the skills that got them to mid-management won’t get them to the executive table.
The result?
Instead of positioning themselves as executive material, they fall into these traps:
Focusing only on doing more work, not the right work.
Waiting for someone else to notice their contributions.
Avoiding self-promotion because it feels "pushy."
Here’s the truth: doing great work matters, but it's just the baseline. Getting promoted to VP requires a different strategy.
Let’s unpack why so many talented professionals get stuck and what’s holding them back:
Trap 1: The "Get Sh*t Done" Zone
You’ve built a reputation for being dependable, the person who always delivers. But instead of being rewarded, you’re stuck in a loop:
You’re handed the big projects but left out of big decisions.
You’re praised for execution, but your name isn’t in the conversation for strategy.
You’re trusted to fix problems but never seen as the one to lead the way forward.
At first, you tell yourself this is progress. But soon, you realize you’ve become the workhorse, not the go-to leader.
When you’re seen as the “get sh*t done” person, you’re not seen as VP material. And until you break out of this trap, you’ll keep working harder without getting closer to your goals.
Trap 2: The “humble” Strategy
How often have you thought, “My work will speak for itself”?
For years, I believed this too. I worked late, over-delivered, and assumed someone would eventually notice. But I learned the hard way - work doesn’t speak unless you do.
If senior leaders don’t know your impact (last I checked they don’t read minds), how can they advocate for you?
Avoiding self-promotion doesn’t make you humble. It makes you invisible. And invisible people don’t get promoted.
Trap 3: The Executive Presence Gap
This is one of the most confusing traps, and why do people who don’t work as hard as you get promoted while you’re putting in the hours.
You’re prioritizing technical proficiency over executive skills.
Executive readiness is measured by how you show up, not just the results you deliver.
According to the Center of Talent Innovation executive presence consists of 3 parts: how you act, how you communicate, and how you show up.
Without prioritizing executive skills, you’ll always be a step behind, no matter how strong your results are.
The VP Blueprint
Breaking free from these traps isn’t about working harder—it’s about working smarter by mastering three critical levers:
1. Mindset (Your inner mastery)
Your biggest obstacle isn't talent or skill. It's the fake limitations we create in our head.
That’s why the first transformation is internal. You have to believe in yourself first.
Confidence isn’t just about charisma—it’s about knowing your worth and trusting your instincts.
Do you feel worthy and ready?
Are you able to stand your ground with senior leaders?
Can you handle high-stakes situations with calm and composure?
Confidence is the foundation of executive leadership. Without it, nothing else works.
2. Executive Presence
Executive presence is how others perceive your VP potential.
Do you command attention in meetings?
Are you seen as strategic and influential?
Do decision-makers trust your ability to make high-stakes decisions?
When you master this, senior leaders won’t just notice you—they’ll want you in the room.
3. Self-Promotion
Research shows that people who advocate for themselves and build a network are up to 70% more likely to get promoted.
Selling yourself isn’t about being pushy—it’s about shaping the narrative.
Are you willing to advocate for yourself, even if it feels uncomfortable?
Are your contributions tied to big-picture goals?
Do you have visibility with key sponsors?
Most aspiring executives avoid self-promotion because it feels uncomfortable. But self-promotion is non-negotiable on your path to VP.
When you align these three levers—confidence, executive presence, and self-promotion—you become impossible to overlook.
Your Action Steps
Before we dive deeper next week, take a moment to reflect on the three levers and evaluate yourself on a scale of: 🔴 Red (Low), 🟡 Yellow (Needs work), 🟢 Green (This is my superpower)
Confidence: I rarely feel like an imposter when speaking with senior leaders.
Executive Presence: I’m seen as executive material, not the get-sh*t-done person
Selling Yourself: I sell myself on autopilot every day with my behaviour, actions, and words.
Be honest—this is your starting point.
Next week, we’ll dive into: Mastering The Art of Selling Yourself without feeling uncomfortable.
I believe in you, and I’m rooting for you
Maya❤️
PS: Your hard work isn’t the issue—it’s about making sure the right people see it.
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