Saying It Louder for the People in the Back:

Just because you've done the same role, in the same industry, for many years,

does not mean you should still be in that role.

During an energizing session with a leadership think tank this week, this came up loudly. Leaders shared their desire to hire for grit, tenacity, and the drive to exceed expectations, not just tenure.

In fact, longevity in a role or company is no longer a ticket to promotion or your next role. They’re going deeper.

Especially in sales, high performers are being rewarded with larger, more lucrative territories instead of simply adding more reps to “drive revenue.”

Yes, experience matters, but it’s not the strategic advantage it once was.

The landscape is shifting.

* AI is streamlining processes

* “Fluff” is being cut

* Businesses are prioritizing profitability and performance

Here’s what I see every day as someone who assesses teams for a living:

* Smart, driven professionals

* With decades of experience

* In roles they’ve long outgrown, or were never right for.

They’ve contorted themselves to fit the job, instead of evaluating whether the job fits them. And they stay stuck because it’s “what I’ve always done.”

This isn’t about hustle. You can be the hardest-working person in the room and still be in the wrong role.

It’s about alignment and articulation.

You need to ask yourself—before applying for that new role or chasing that promotion:

* Can I clearly express the value I bring, beyond “20 years in XYZ”?

* Can I connect the dots between my mindset, my outcomes, and the goals of the business?

* Can I explain why I’m the one to bet on, in this moment?

Because in 2025, the market doesn't reward longevity. It rewards relevance, clarity, and grit.

So ask yourself:

* Am I still the best person for this role, or just the most familiar?

* Am I chasing growth, or just following a path I never questioned?

* Do I even want this role, or am I afraid to pivot?

The world is changing.

Are you?