Feeling brilliant yet inexplicably stuck in your career despite your incredible technical skills?
You're not alone.
Something feels off—stuck and gritty. You notice people around you acting differently: detached and avoidant, and they're even telling you how you make them feel.
Not in a good way.
This could jeopardize your career progression, aspirations for a higher salary, or coveted promotion.
Why is this happening, especially when you're technically at the top of your game?
If this resonates with you, you might be what I call an "Alpha Genius"—exceptional in tech and strategy but inadvertently crushing team morale with a mix of arrogance and dismissiveness.
I’ve Been There
I was a confident tech professional, but when it came to interacting with people, especially in high-pressure situations, I sucked.
I still cringe thinking about my "cocky coward" attitude.
Picture this: a young, ambitious tech enthusiast in an ostentatiously stylish Italian jacket walking into a high-stakes meeting with management levels way above my pay grade.
Despite my technical skills, I was unprepared for the emotional complexities of such interactions.
Here are just a few ways I stumbled:
Assuming superiority: I overestimated my own capabilities while underestimating the importance of humility and teamwork.
Defensive responses: Confronted with questions, my default was not to listen and understand but to defend and assert, often being curt and dismissive.
Avoiding vulnerability: I hid behind a facade of technical confidence, unwilling to show any sign of uncertainty or to genuinely engage with others' concerns.
These actions triggered a cascade of protective yet counterproductive behaviors: shutting down, not listening, irritability, being passive-aggressive, self-judgment, defensiveness, and preoccupation with my own perspective.
I had to face the truth.
I understood the tech stuff and could control that well.
What I could not control and didn’t understand was the deep, complicated, well inside me, the mental and emotional subtext and intricacies of what makes me and others human.
I have seen this repeatedly in my coaching sessions with Alpha Geniuses.
Emotional intelligence, or the lack thereof, is the invisible barrier to their success.
I had much to learn, starting with mining and questioning my own deep-seated issues.
Here are some key milestones along the way:
I had to own up to my mistakes and the pain they caused me and others to create more trust and respect.
I had to learn to express my doubts and fears to build more genuine connections.
I made a conscious effort to understand the perspectives and feelings of others, even when they differed from mine. Results: more creativity and less intimidation
Passing It On
Now, as a coach, I don't sugarcoat the challenges of developing your EQ.
I push hard but with empathy and understanding because I know the transformational impact it can have—not just professionally, but in becoming a more complete human being.
You Can Create the Same Transformation
Don't wait until you feel "stuck and gritty" or for your company to tell you you cost them too much because your team feels minimized, products stall, and churn explodes. Be proactive!
Start reflecting on a recent high-emotion interaction. Ask yourself, "What could I have done differently?"
I'm selective about whom I work with, but once you're in, you're in for a transformation.
Boost your EQ and stop the bleeding $$$
I’d love to hear your experiences or questions about working with Alpha Geniuses.
Feel free to share your stories or ask questions below.
PS: Are you an Alpha Genius, too? Do you ever wonder why your team seems disconnected despite your best efforts? It might be time to look in the mirror and ask yourself: am I truly there for my team, or am I just focused on the destination?
PS: Download my FREE guide, "7 Key Insights - The Untapped Power of the Alpha Leader," where I cover this topic and offer practical strategies you can implement immediately.
Book a chemistry call.
Comentários