3. When Your Colleagues Have an Outdated Perception of You

DARCY EIKENBERG, SARAH MANN

TEN YEARS AGO, Tasha* was the seventh employee at her medical software startup, having been hired as an administrative assistant to the chief sales officer. Today, she manages a team of eight salespeople collectively responsible for $22 million in revenue. When the chief sales officer announced his retirement recently, Tasha expected to be considered for the role. Instead, the CEO announced an external search, stating that there were no qualified internal candidates. Tasha was hurt and angry, recognizing a harsh reality she’d long suspected: “I’m seen as I was, not as I am.” If you’re a reliable, longterm employee like Tasha who still wants to grow in your career but is feeling trapped by old perceptions, you’re not alone. As executive coaches, we’ve worked with many professionals who’ve accelerated their…

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Harvard Business Review Special Issues (Digital) - 1 Issue, Spring 2025

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