80% Trap - Lisa D. Foster, Leadership Coaching & Training

Encouraging Career Growth | Customer Journey: Jim, Part 5 of 6

August 24, 2026

Promotions get harder the higher you go. Doing 80% right won’t get you there. You need the whole package to move up. Customer Journey Series: Jim This article is part of a customer journey series following “Jim,” a VP of Research and Development in a multi-national pharma company navigating shifting organizational demands, rapid leadership changes, and pressure to adapt and keep his team functioning. His journey explores leadership presence, empathy, decision making, managing low performers, and helping talented employees grow.…

The 80% Trap: Why Being Very Good Blocks Senior Leadership Readiness

The 80% Trap Is Where Execution Peaks but Ownership Has Not Expanded You’re in the 80% trap if your strong performance has stopped translating into senior leadership readiness. You’re doing a lot right. You’re dependable.You’re productive.You carry weight others don’t.You solve problems quickly and well. And yet… The next level isn’t happening. You may even be thinking: This is the 80% trap. You are operating at 80% of what senior leadership requires — and that final 20% is not about…