Ronda Colavito

You’ve checked all the boxes. You have the title, the respect of your peers, and the financial stability you once dreamed of. By every objective metric, you are "successful." And yet, you’re waking up with a sense of dread. The work that used to excite you now feels like a repetitive loop. You might even feel guilty—after all, shouldn't you be grateful? My first career was as a broadcast journalist — college intern, assistant assignment desk editor, field reporter, newscast producer, and...

As we ease into a new year, are you reflecting on what held you back in the last year? For many leaders, “office politics” almost always makes the list. For most professionals, the term triggers frustration: favoritism, hidden agendas, and the sense that only the loudest voices get ahead. For high performers, it creates a painful tension: Do I play the game… or stay quiet and watch my impact stall? But here’s the truth that often gets missed: What we call “office politics” is simply the human...

As the year winds down, I find myself at a natural reflection point — what worked, what stalled, and how am I performing against my goals. If you’re a high performer and you didn’t move as far or as fast as you expected in your career this year, you’re not alone. Many talented professionals hit a plateau not because they lack capability, but because they’re missing the one factor that accelerates growth: strategic relationships. As you set your goals for 2026, this is the shift that can...