Top Executives Are Outgrowing Their Roles—and Their Companies Don’t Notice

Wendy S. Huffman | WBN News Nashville | May 26, 2025

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Eighteen months. That’s the average time high-performing executives say they’ve felt stuck, while their titles stayed the same.

The reason? Most companies reward predictability over potential. High-range, reinvented leaders are being held back by legacy roles that no longer fit. They’re mentoring without being mentored, leading without learning, and managing without momentum.

Executive coaches say it’s one of the clearest signs it’s time to move: a full calendar and a starving mind.

Professionals at the top aren’t just job-hunting—they’re legacy-building. They’re done waiting for promotions that never come and boards that never recognize their evolution. The plateau isn’t personal—it’s structural.

In 2025, staying put isn’t playing it safe. It’s playing small.

Tags:
#Executive Career Path #Executive Plateau, #Leadership Growth, #Career Change, #Professional Reinvention, #Career Advancement, #Workplace Evolution, #Executive Burnout

Wendy Huffman is the Editor of WBN News Nashville and Africa Edition, where she brings the fun back to journalism—covering local buzz, business insight, and some serious subjects in between. Her role with the Africa Edition grew from her deep commitment to the continent through LetsMakeTheDifference.org, the international nonprofit she founded to empower and uplift underserved communities. 

Wendy is also the Owner of The Brilliant Edge Agency, a top executive search firm helping companies secure premier talent across industries. Connect with Wendy on Linkedin.com/in/wendyhuffman

Sources: Deloitte Insights, Fast Company, Spencer Stuart, HBR, LinkedIn Talent Blog