We often celebrate early career success as if it were the ultimate arrival. A strong start, whether it’s a big sale, a quick promotion, or early recognition, can feel like validation of our talent and potential. However, what we rarely discuss is what comes after. The truth is that success at the entry level doesn’t automatically translate to success at the next level. In fact, it can sometimes work against you if it breeds complacency or overconfidence. This blog explores the hidden side of early achievement, why it happens, how it can mislead us, and what it really takes to grow beyond that first win.
Early Success Isn’t a Skill – It’s Just the Start
The truth is, most of us don’t fully understand why our careers started off on a high. We tend to credit our skills, hard work, or talent, and while those matter, they’re rarely the whole story. The success you experience early on might have more to do with timing, team dynamics, or even plain luck. A big client falling into your lap, being assigned to a great manager, or just landing in the right place at the right time; these things play a bigger role than we often admit.
And here’s where it gets tricky: believing that early success is purely a result of your skill can create blind spots. It can make you complacent, overconfident, and less receptive to feedback. You might start thinking you’re already equipped for the next level when in reality, each step up demands new capabilities, better judgment, emotional maturity, and the ability to manage relationships, navigate office dynamics, and handle pressure.
This is where coaching becomes essential. Sometimes, it takes a mentor or a grounded manager to help you step back and truly understand what contributed to your success and, more importantly, what needs to change going forward. Without that reality check, early success can actually hinder you.
Coach vs Supervisor
I was among the top 20 salespeople in the country during my first year in sales. My bosses and HR felt that the time was right for the next role, and I was duly promoted to manager. The transition from college to field sales to a manager all happened in just 18 months’ time. But the next 18 months were the most torturous period of my professional life. It was a 15-18 hour a day fieldwork schedule away from family. I failed miserably in my role as a manager. This period saw sales dip, my team members missed their incentives, and my manager remained consistently unhappy. I couldn’t handle these changed circumstances. As a result, I was forced to quit my job.
In retrospect, I realize that the successful salesperson in me never fully adapted to the nuances of a managerial role. I also conveniently blamed my manager, who never took the time to ease me into the role. Though he met me almost every day, the time spent was more on numbers than on giving guidance. I feel I missed out on the transition or coaching to the expanded role. But then, there are always two sides to a story.
Thriving Beyond the First Success
The key to moving to the next level is the ability to absorb pressure. It all starts with the attention you get due to the initial success. In the first few successful days, you would feel the world is watching you, thereby creating new pressure points. There is also the awkward challenge of working on par with people who were your seniors previously. You would be expected to perform almost immediately to validate your previous success. Some people claim they thrive under pressure. But I don’t know how that works.
People who can’t adapt to the expectations of the new roles invariably quit or get stuck in that job role forever. Some organizations protect them due to past success, but most get rid of people who can’t cope. It’s essential to note that larger roles often appear glamorous on paper and in the media. On a day-to-day basis, it’s a struggle that requires hard work, discipline, and, furthermore, a constant battle with time.
Adapt, Upgrade, and Move Forward
Many of us probably live in the past, which renders us obsolete when dynamics change. A key aspect of graduating to the next level is to add new skills and stay relevant. Learning newer technologies or processes, understanding the team, peer, and boss dynamics, are aspects that can make or break you. Observing and adapting to emerging scenarios will hasten your growth to the next level. Also, the ability to control emotions and manage the political atmosphere around you is a necessary upgrade to avoid distractions.
Success is Just the Starting Line
To sum up, succeeding at the next level requires more than just past achievements—it demands the right mentorship, the temperament to handle pressure, and a commitment to continuous learning. Don’t wear your initial success like a badge of honor and stay trapped in the past.
Much like professional sports, where age eventually sets a limit, corporate careers are often shaped in the first decade. A strong start is valuable, but it’s only the foundation. Never take it for granted, build on it, or risk being left behind.
