The high-performer trap

One of the most subtle traps I’ve observed in high performers is that they perform. They’re so good at what they do that they forget what it feels like not to be good. They don’t know how to communicate with people whose skills differ greatly from theirs. They lose patience. They work so quickly that they never learn how to rely on others—or grow alongside the people around them.

Early on, everything looks great. High performers rise fast and produce impressive results. But over the long run, they lose the ability to work effectively with large groups of people. If we want to work well with most people, we need a beginner’s mindset.

Hard skills and IQ always have a ceiling. At some point, your specialisation won’t create meaningful change in your life anymore. But soft skills—EQ—can keep expanding. They allow you to reach more people, influence more outcomes, and grow without limit.

Beginner’s mindset is the foundation of a true growth mindset.