Why this matters
Many of us begin our careers chasing success like it is the golden ticket. The title, the salary bump, the recognition. It feels safe, almost like a finish line you can cross. But the truth is, success is often a story that is outdated or that we inherited. It becomes a checklist of achievements that looks good on paper but may not reflect who we really are.
Emerging leaders can fall into this trap again and again. You get promoted because you were great at your last role, and can go into the next, unclear about what kind of leader you want to be. You say yes to everything because you think being indispensable is the only way forward. You burn yourself out trying to prove you belong instead of pausing to ask whether this version of success even fits you.
I know this personally. Early in my career, I heard that quiet voice inside saying, “You are capable of more.” The problem was, I had no idea what that meant or how to figure it out. So, I kept chasing everything and collecting the markers of success. It all looked good on the outside, but deep down, I was not growing. I was doing what I thought I should do to get ahead without ever asking what success really meant to me.
The funny part… Success is not the parking spot with your name on it or the gold watch at retirement (does anyone even hand those out anymore?). Success is about knowing if the story you are living is still yours, or if you are holding on to someone else’s version.
For emerging leaders, ignoring this can lead to burnout, self-doubt, and a career on autopilot. For seasoned leaders, it shows up as that quiet question: “Is this it?” For organizations, it is more than personal; it is costly. Leaders stuck in outdated definitions of success are more likely to disengage, underperform, or leave. Helping leaders write new success stories is not just good for people; it is critical for business.
What are we really talking about?
Outgrowing success does not mean throwing away what you have worked for. It means recognizing when the definition of success you once chased no longer fits who you are becoming or what you truly want.
For emerging leaders, this might look like realizing a promotion is not the prize if it comes at the expense of your health, your relationships, or your sense of purpose. It is asking: “Am I saying yes because I want this, or because I think I am supposed to want it?”
For seasoned leaders, it may feel quieter but just as real. The numbers look fine, the team respects you, but you cannot shake the thought that the ladder you climbed might have been leaning against the wrong wall.
Please know that outgrowing success is not failure. It is growth. It is when you stop measuring your worth by a checklist and start asking the questions that get to the heart of what matters most.
Who helps you through this
No one navigates success alone, and the same is true when it is time to outgrow it. The people you surround yourself with will shape how you redefine success.
For emerging leaders, this means finding colleagues, mentors, and coaches who see more in you than you currently see in yourself. These are the people who will encourage you to step up and who will tell you the truth when you drift. Sometimes it is the mentor who says, “Stop playing small.” Sometimes it is the peer who nudges you to go for the role you secretly want.
For seasoned leaders, this may mean leaning on a trusted circle who remind you of your worth beyond performance. These are the voices that say, “You do not have to prove anything anymore. Now it is about impact.”
Who you choose to listen to shapes your story of success just as much as your actions do. Choose voices that call you forward, not ones that keep you boxed into an old story.
How you begin to rewrite your story
So how do you move from outgrowing success to defining what comes next? This is where planning meets self-trust. Your HOW is your roadmap, but it must fit you, not someone else’s template.
For emerging leaders, begin with small, intentional steps. Try the “Power of Three.” Each day, do three things that move you toward the leader you want to become. That might mean scheduling coffee with a mentor, signing up for a skill-building course, or writing down what values matter most to you. Small steps build momentum.
For seasoned leaders, HOW might mean pausing to recalibrate. It could be redefining what impact looks like at this stage of your career or shifting your focus to legacy building instead of calendar management. Your HOW should help you grow without losing your center.
Keep in mind, your path is not always a five-year plan (although that kind of clarity is valuable). Sometimes it is simply knowing your next clear move and being willing to take it.
What to do today
And this is where we land: the NOW. Awareness without action is just another story gathering dust. The key is to take one step today that aligns with the leader you are becoming, not the one you used to be. What is one small step that you can take within the next 48 hours to get into action? That’s your next clear move.
For emerging leaders, that step could be saying no to something that does not fit your values or yes to something that stretches you. For seasoned leaders, it could be starting a conversation about legacy, succession, or carving out time to reflect instead of reacting.
Readiness is not about having it all figured out. It is about trusting yourself enough to move forward anyway.
Your Next Clear Move
So let me leave you with this: What is one place in your leadership where the old story of success no longer serves you? Identify it. Claim it. Then take one step, however small, toward rewriting it today.
If you are ready to help your leaders rewrite their definition of success in a way that fuels retention, resilience, and real impact, let’s talk. My keynotes and Readiness Labs are designed to help both emerging and seasoned leaders outgrow outdated success stories and step into their next clear move. Organizations that do this build stronger pipelines, keep their best people, and create cultures where leaders thrive instead of stalling.
