What Got You Here Won’t Get You There - But Not for the Reason You Think

We’ve all heard this phrase before, but what if the real reason isn’t about skills—it’s about how you make sense of leadership?

The Shift:

Most professionals believe the key to their next career leap is more: more skills, more credentials, more effort.

But here’s the truth—what’s actually keeping you stuck isn’t a lack of ability, it’s a leadership identity that hasn’t evolved.

If you’re still defining success by what made you valuable at your last level, working harder, knowing more, and being the go-to expert, you might be unintentionally holding yourself back. Leadership at the next level isn’t about proving yourself; it’s about shifting how you see yourself.

Try This:

Think about a moment when you felt stuck in your career. What if it wasn’t a skill gap but a mindset gap that kept you from moving forward?

Now, ask yourself:

What behaviors got me here that might be keeping me here?

Example: You’ve built a reputation for being the most knowledgeable person in the room, always having the answers. But at the next level, leadership isn’t about having the right answers; it’s about asking the right questions and empowering others. Holding onto the "expert" role might be keeping you from stepping into the "strategic leader" role.

Am I leading like someone who needs to be seen as competent or like someone who owns their leadership?

Example: You double-check every detail, hesitate to delegate, and over-prepare for meetings to prove your worth. A senior leader, however, focuses on impact over perfection. They make decisions, trust their team, and spend time influencing rather than micromanaging.

If I were already at the next level, how would I show up differently today?

Example: Imagine you already have the title or role you’re striving for. How would you handle today’s challenges? Would you speak up more in leadership meetings? Push back on unrealistic expectations? Let go of tasks that aren’t yours to own? Start acting like the leader you want to become—before someone gives you permission.

Something to think about:

What if the only thing keeping you from your next level is how you see yourself?