The question was never whether the proposal was good. It was whether senior stakeholders could afford to back it. That distinction changed everything.

At senior levels, ambiguity isn’t flexibility. It’s friction. One decision changed how stakeholders saw – and supported – Alan.

Maria was operating at a senior level and three years into a quiet erosion of confidence. Her performance remained strong. Her signal did not. She was days from resigning a role she loved – until she made one call.

Costas was handed a high-profile rescue mission. His reputation was built on fixing complex problems under pressure. In a political system, that strength – applied too early – can become a liability.

Jim had just taken an $18,000 pay cut. Not because he lacked ability. Not because his ideas were wrong. But because being right, it turned out, was not enough.

‘I’m at my wits’ end. I need to decide if I should stay or go. If I stay, I’ve no idea how to survive and make it work.’ Those were the first words Rex said to me. COO of one of the largest corporations of its type in the US.