Without Leadership Skills, Even with the Best Domain Expertise, Your Career Will Stall

Have you ever felt like no matter how skilled you are, you're still stuck in the same role, waiting for your breakthrough? Like you VIjay felt the same.

As a leadership and career development coach, I’ve encountered countless professionals who, despite having exceptional technical skills, struggle to ascend into senior leadership roles. I recently coached Vijay (name changed for confidentiality) who is a seasoned professional with 19 years of experience, was recognised as an expert in his domain both within his company and industry-wide. At 41, he was at the peak of his career in many ways, but something was missing.

Despite being valued for his expertise, Vijay had been consistently overlooked for higher leadership roles. Vijay was frustrated, feeling like all his hard work and expertise were invisible. Despite being the go-to problem solver, he watched others climb the ladder while his career stayed stuck. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing - something holding him back from reaching the leadership role he knew he deserved. His concern extended beyond his own trajectory—he had also noticed his team had shrunk to just three members. In a company that was otherwise growing, this signalled deeper concerns about his role and future. He needed clarity, direction, and a plan.

Domain Expertise Isn't Enough

In our first coaching session, I asked Vijay about his key strengths and what gave him job satisfaction. He confidently shared that his creativity in solving complex problems was his biggest asset. He was the go-to person for difficult domain-specific issues. His colleagues and leadership often relied on him for solutions. But as we delved deeper, it became clear that while Vijay was excellent at his job, he hadn’t invested in developing leadership stories—narratives that reflected his ability to lead teams, manage change, and inspire others.

Vijay was focused on honing his technical expertise, but the higher up you climb in your career, the more leadership skills become the differentiator. It wasn’t that Vijay lacked leadership abilities; it was that he hadn’t consciously showcased them. Leadership, after all, isn't just about managing people; it's about influencing and inspiring, even when you don’t directly manage a large team.

Leadership as a Path to Growth

Through a series of coaching exercises, including a SWOT analysis, we worked on understanding Vijay’s strengths and the areas where he could grow. One key realisation was that while Vijay had stories of domain success, his leadership journey was largely unarticulated.

For instance, when asked how he would handle team resistance to change, Vijay offered situational leadership approaches that demonstrated his capability. The challenge was in recognising and showcasing these abilities to others. We also addressed his concern about the shrinking team size, reassuring him that this wasn't a reflection of his industry or potential, but a broader trend driven by technology and structural shifts across sectors.

Becoming a Thought Leader

One of the most important outcomes of our sessions was helping Vijay see that leadership isn’t just tied to having direct reports. Today, thought leadership—your ability to influence and guide an entire industry—can be just as powerful as managing a large team.

This revelation opened new doors for Vijay. He realised that his domain expertise, combined with strong leadership skills, positioned him uniquely to drive change at an industry level. By shifting his mindset from merely managing his team to influencing the broader landscape, Vijay was able to carve out a clear path for career growth.

A Career Beyond Expertise

If you are a senior professional like Vijay, excelling in your domain yet feeling stuck in your career, consider this: Your technical skills will only take you so far. Leadership, influence, and vision are what will propel you to the next level. It’s not enough to be an expert—you must also be a leader.

Even if you’re managing a small team or no team at all, your ability to positively influence others and shape industry trends will determine the certainty of your career path.

Invest in honing your leadership skills, seek feedback, and align your career goals with a broader vision of influence. Leadership is not just about your role today, but the mark you’ll leave tomorrow.

P.S : Are you ready to take charge of your career? Reach out for a FREE Discovery Call by sending a message here : Leadership & Career Development Coaching

Best wishes for a successful career

Sarabjeet Sachar

Founder & CEO, Aspiration

Leadership & Career Development Coach

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