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How to leave without burning down the building
The quiet truth about many high performers?
They’re already halfway out the door - but still in the room.
After my last post, a senior leader messaged me:
💬 "I’ve mentally left, but I don’t want to wreck my reputation on the way out. I just… can’t bring myself to care anymore."
That’s the real risk in the “checked out but not out” phase.
Ulrika Gustafson LL.M PCC
Jun 15, 20252 min read
The Bridge Strategy: How to Close the Gap Between Where You Are and Where You Want to Be
She was a high-performing senior manager, leading a successful team and delivering results. But when she applied for a VP role, she was passed over - twice. Her frustration was clear:
"I don’t get it. I’ve been doing everything right. Why am I still stuck?"
The answer? She was executing, not leading.
She was seen as a high performer, but not as a strategic leader - and in her organization, that distinction made all the difference.
Hard work alone won’t get you promoted. A
Ulrika Gustafson LL.M PCC
Jan 1, 20255 min read
The Insider Perspective
real-world insights
for leaders under pressure
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