Success often feels like a race—eyes forward, chasing the next win, the next breakthrough, the next proof that we’re enough. But what if the very habits that propelled us here are now holding us back? What if the traits we once saw as strengths—our drive to win, our sharp critiques, our relentless certainty—have become blind spots, quietly eroding trust and connection?

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The truth is, that growth isn’t just about what we achieve. It’s about what we release.

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Consider the weight of ego: the need to dominate every conversation, to tweak others’ ideas until they’re “ours,” to claim credit for wins we didn’t earn. We tell ourselves it’s about excellence, but it’s really about fear—fear of being overlooked, of not being the smartest in the room, of losing control. These habits isolate us, turning collaborators into competitors and stifling the creativity we claim to value.

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Then there’s the trap of communication: starting sentences with “No” or “But,” shutting down ideas before they’re fully heard. We dismiss with negativity—“Let me explain why that won’t work”—or lash out in anger, mistaking bluntness for honesty. Words become weapons, and suddenly, no one wants to speak up.

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Or the drift from accountability: withholding information to keep power, deflecting blame with excuses, clinging to “how we’ve always done it.” We avoid apologies, clinging to pride, and punish those brave enough to offer feedback. The message? My comfort matters more than our collective progress.

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And perhaps most corrosive: forgetting the human in the room. Failing to recognize others’ contributions, listening only to reply, playing favorites, or assuming gratitude goes without saying. People don’t leave jobs—they leave cultures where they feel invisible.

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The way forward? Start with awareness. Notice when you prioritize winning over understanding. Pause before adding “just one tweak” to a colleague’s idea. Say “thank you” instead of “no problem.” Ask, “What do you think?” and mean it.

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This isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress—one small release at a time.