Why Top Performers Struggle in Leadership (And What To Do Instead)
It’s a story I’ve seen play out hundreds of times.
A high-performing individual contributor gets promoted. They’ve smashed targets, impressed senior leaders, and earned the recognition. So they get a new title, a salary bump — and a team.
They’re excited. Nervous. Ready to step up. Then comes the moment no one prepared them for: “Now lead.”
No roadmap. No meaningful support. No real training. Just… figure it out.
The Leadership Myth We Need to Stop Believing
Too often, we confuse being good at your job with being ready to lead others.
We assume that because someone was a great product manager, marketer, or engineer, they’ll naturally become a great people leader.
But the truth? Being a top performer doesn’t teach you how to lead.
And yet, that’s how most people get promoted. They’re congratulated — and then thrown into the deep end with no life raft.
And while they might get some scattered resources, a few generic training sessions, or a vague company handbook… none of it prepares them for the reality of people leadership.
Leadership Isn’t a Checklist — It’s a Craft
Real leadership isn’t about completing tasks. It’s about shaping culture. Giving feedback. Creating clarity when everything around you is uncertain.
It’s the invisible, emotional, high-stakes work that determines whether teams thrive or spiral.
And when new managers don’t get the support they need, they wing it.
But when you wing it in leadership, here’s what happens:
Feedback gets avoided
Expectations stay fuzzy
Engagement quietly dies
And the worst part? Most managers blame themselves.
They internalise the chaos.
They tell themselves they’re not cut out for leadership.
They wait for guidance that never comes.
They fall into the trap of over-functioning — trying to do more instead of learning to lead better.
It’s broken.
We all know it.
And we can do better.
What If New Managers Had a Real Playbook?
When I started building Arc Studio, I asked myself:
What if we stopped leaving new managers to figure it out alone?
What if we gave them a real-world toolkit — not fluff — to help them build confidence, clarity, and rhythm from day one?
So I created something practical. Human. No jargon.
The Arc Manager 30–60–90 Toolkit
A real-world guide to support your first 90 days as a manager — or to reset if you’re already in the seat and need a fresh rhythm.
What’s inside:
What to focus on in your first 30, 60, and 90 days
How to build trust without being everyone’s best friend
Rituals and cadences to anchor your week
One-page manager check-ins and mindset shifts
And no fluff — because managers don’t have time for fluff
👉 Get your copy here
Want More? Join Cohort 001
If you’re ready to go deeper, I’d love to invite you into our first leadership cohort.
🌀 Arc Studio Cohort 001: Manager & Leader
An immersive, high-impact development space for managers and high-performers stepping into leadership.
Learn with others like you.
Grow with real tools.
And lead in a way that aligns with who you are — not just what your job description says.
👉 Explore the program & apply here
Because being a great manager isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing the right things — early.
