Most of us were taught that if you’re reliable, competent, and a team player, that’s enough.

That good work speaks for itself.

That staying humble, loyal, and heads down is a strength.

But in today’s climate, quiet excellence is invisible.

If you’re focused on execution but disconnected from outcomes, you’re vulnerable.

If no one knows what you’re working on or why it matters, you’re vulnerable.

If you’re seen as helpful but not moving fast enough, you’re vulnerable.

Your strategy now isn’t just to survive another round of layoffs. It’s to be seen doing high-impact work with urgency.

I went deeper on this in my newsletter this week: