What matters more—being great at your job or being great with people?

Wrong question. 🤣

I’ve seen this play out so many times:

The high performer who delivers incredible results—but gets overlooked when it’s time for a promotion. The relationship builder who brings great energy, leads with empathy—but is told they need to "deliver more" or “be more strategic.”

Both walk away frustrated. Both wonder what they’re missing. Both are right and limited at the same time.

Here’s what I believe:

You’re not born into a fixed work style. You’ve likely grown into it—through your environment, habits, beliefs, or past success. But that style can be upgraded.

🎯If you're great at your job (but not so focused on people)…

Strengths:

✔️ Reliable, sharp, results-driven.

✔️ You get things done—and done well.

✔️ You’re the “go-to” person for complex problems.

Frustrations you might face:

😤 “Why did they get promoted? I deliver more than anyone!”

😤 Feeling unseen because you don't self-promote or "play politics."

😤 Struggling to get buy-in for your ideas, even when they’re objectively solid.

Growth path to explore:

➡️ Emotional intelligence: not just understanding but sensing how others feel.

➡️ Communicating results—not just producing them.

➡️ Building influence through trust, not just expertise.

➡️ Learning to delegate and collaborate, not do everything yourself.

➡️ Trusting people who may be better than you in certain areas—and hiring them. Yes, even (especially) the smarter ones.

🧑🤝🧑 If you're great with people (but not always delivering hard results)...

Strengths:

✔️ You connect effortlessly.

✔️ You’re a bridge between people and departments.

✔️ You strengthen teams with your presence and energy.

Frustrations you might face:

😤 “I’m always supporting others—but I’m not seen as a top performer.”

😤 Feedback that feels vague: “Be more strategic,” “Take more ownership.”

😤 Being liked, but not always respected when decisions are made.

Growth path to explore:

➡️ Owning and showing the measurable impact of your work.

➡️ Structuring your contribution beyond relationships.

➡️ Making decisions that serve both people and progress.

➡️ Building confidence in your expertise, not just your empathy.

➡️ Leaning into clear accountability—and trusting others to hold it too.

💡 The deeper truth?

Your work style isn’t hardwired—it’s conditioned. It’s your comfort zone. And like any comfort zone, it can be expanded.

Every growth leap I’ve seen in coaching clients came from this choice:

🔥 Being willing to explore the other side.

🔥 Not changing who you are—but expanding how you show up.

🔥 Making the invisible parts of your potential… visible.

You don’t need to become someone else. You just need to stop assuming who you are is fixed.

Success today isn’t either/or. It’s both/and.

It’s your ability to integrate strengths, stretch past the familiar, and rise into the version of you who leads, delivers, connects, and grows—with others.

🌊 A moment in Tarifa

Before I close, let me share something Tarifa taught me.

One evening, I stood in front of the sea and a still lagoon, watching the sky melt into its perfect reflection. It was hard to tell what was real and what was the mirror image—up and down became indistinguishable. Only by physically being there—feeling the ground, seeing the full scene—could you orient yourself.

And that hit me:

The same goes for us.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s truly you, and what’s a skill or behavior you’ve picked up—because it worked, or simply felt natural. But just because something feels comfortable doesn’t mean it’s all you’re capable of. And just because it’s been your strength… doesn’t mean it has to be your limit.

Growth Beyond Yourself Is Never Solo

You can’t grow beyond your current level by staying in your comfort zone. And you can’t grow beyond your current ceiling by staying in isolation.

True transformation?

It’s not just internal. It’s relational. It’s strategic. It’s shared.

You don’t just build yourself up. You learn to build with and through others—even those who might be smarter, sharper, or stronger in areas you’re not.

That’s not a threat to your value. That’s leadership. That’s growth.

Your full potential doesn’t live in choosing one side or staying where it’s safe. It lives in the space where you rise with others—beyond what you could do alone.

Let’s go get it.