The Secret to a Skyrocketing Career: A Mentor Who Pulls You Back to Earth Last week I spoke to someone who is racing upwards through a successful career. We spent quite a bit of time together, but one part of our conversation stayed with me. She was very modest, yet it was clear she's been on the ascent from the beginning of her career. One piece of advice from a CEO along the way particularly resonated with her. He pulled her aside and told her: 'You are doing brilliantly. Your team absolutely love you. I think you are fantastic. But your peers don't know you well enough.' The transition from just managing up and down to ‘managing’ sideways is an oft reported challenge. This was fantastic coaching for her first ELT appointment. Brilliant performers aren't perfect, and sometimes leaders hesitate to 'criticise' those who are excelling. It's not always easy to hear developmental feedback when you're doing a great job, but the best always want to get better. Here's to the leaders who keep pushing their whole team, who don't settle for good enough.
