3 Myths That Hold You Back from Going After the Big Jobs (Especially You, Ladies)

Okay, time for some tough love.

I want to talk about three myths that keep so many people—especially women—from going after those big, career-changing opportunities. 

But before we dig in, we have to start with what I call The Compromise Calculation.

The Compromise Calculation is that sneaky belief so many of us hold—the idea that career success automatically comes at the expense of everything else in life. You know the one:

“If my career goes up, my relationships, health, and sanity go down.”

Sound familiar?  But, the calc doesn’t have to work that way.

So let’s unpack the three biggest myths that are holding you back—and how to kick them to the curb once and for all.

Myth #1: Climbing the Ladder Means Working Harder

Nope. Big, fat, myth.

If you’re climbing the ladder and actually working harder than before, it doesn’t mean you’re crushing it—it means you’re leading worse.

Here’s why: great leaders know how to lead, delegate, and prioritize. They don’t cling to every PowerPoint or late-night email like a badge of honor.

When I was rising through the ranks, I actually worked less on the small stuff because I trusted my team. I focused on strategy, connection, and vision. That’s authentic leadership—leading in a way that creates trust and builds capability in others, not burnout in yourself.

So if your workload skyrockets with every promotion?That’s not ambition. That’s a red flag.

Myth #2: You Have to Change for the Job

Let me say this loud for the people in the back:

You don’t have to change for the job. You can change the job.

Too many people (especially women) step into bigger roles and think, “I have to act like the people who’ve done this before me.”

Cue the stiff shoulders, overly polished presence, and “executive voice.”

But here’s the thing: those leaders aren’t necessarily the ones people want to follow. The best leaders are the ones who lead with authenticity in the workplace—they tell stories, show humility, and make real connections.

Stop trying to be someone else’s definition of “executive.” Start being your own.

You don’t have to fit the mold. You can break it. 

And that’s how you change the system for the better.

Myth #3: You Have to Have It All Figured Out

This one’s the biggest lie of all.

If you think you need every skill, every credential, every ounce of confidence before saying yes to the big job—you’ll be waiting forever.

When I became CEO, there was a lot I didn’t know. Finance? I had a CFO for that. (And yes, I still blank on some P&L details even today.)

That’s where my 50% Rule comes in:

When you step into something new, do half normal and half new.

• Keep the half that makes sense—the strategies that work.

• Toss out the half that feels crusty, inauthentic, or outdated.

• Fill that space with your own ideas, energy, and authenticity.

That balance is what lets you show up as your authentic self at work—not someone else’s version of success.

The Bottom Line

There’s no rule that says success has to cost you your sanity. You don’t have to work yourself into burnout, fake your personality, or have all the answers.

You just have to be the kind of leader you’d want to follow.

That’s the magic of authentic leadership—it gives you permission to rise, lead, and succeed without compromise.

So stop waiting. Stop molding. Start leading the way you were built to lead.

And hey, keep following me. I’ll keep telling you the truths most people are too afraid to say out loud.

Erin Hatzikostas is an internationally recognized leader on the impact of authenticity in the workplace. Learn more about her keynote speaking, workshops, and other authentic programs here.