The Risk of Standing Out

The lighthouse on the cliff gets all the attention.  It also gets hit by every storm.

Here’s something they don’t tell you in the leadership books: being outstanding makes you a target. No! Not because you’re doing anything wrong. Simply put, visibility attracts weather.

When there is an economic downturn, your outstanding performance may not protect you from layoffs. Your foresight in having contingency plans A, B and C does. 

This is the paradox nobody prepares you for: the further you rise, the less cover you have. You also run the risk of breaking one of the Laws of Power: “Never Outshine the Boss!”

When you’re average, mistakes get buried in the noise. When you’re outstanding, every move is watched. Every miss is noted. Your wins are expected. Your losses are amplified.

The same visibility that built your reputation can become the thing that undoes you.

So what do you do? Play small? Stay hidden?  No. But you need a different kind of awareness.

First, never mistake institutional visibility for personal security. The company that celebrates you today will make tough decisions tomorrow. Your track record is not a shield. It’s a spotlight.You also need to be conscious of the speed of obsolescence and consider building income generating activities that do not depend on your current specialization and expertise. 

Second, keep your head down when you don’t need to be seen. Not every win needs a press release. Not every achievement needs your name on it. Build quietly. Let results speak. Save the visibility for when it matters. Build a strong network of allies both internal and external. Those whose respect you have earned can provide a safety net when you need one. 

Third, know who actually has your back. The difference between being exposed and being protected is usually one person—a mentor, a sponsor, someone who will speak your name in the room where decisions get made. Cultivate that. Everything else is just noise.  Never forget that when it comes to genuine support it is those who are strong enough and confident enough to support and elevate others who really matter. 

Being outstanding is worth it. Your work matters. Your growth matters. Your contribution matters.  Just don’t forget: the lighthouse doesn’t survive because it’s bright. It survives because it’s built to take the hit.

About Author

Fay Niewiadomski

I awaken leaders to purposefully discern the best way forward, with such clarity, that they find within themselves the courage, wisdom, and compassion to do what they never dared to do before.

I’ve been privileged to work closely with C-level officers, presidents, ministers, global chairpersons, diplomats, board members, senior business and political leaders, and their teams to successfully navigate complex, high-stakes situations and make sound business and personal decisions resulting in profound and lasting change.

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