Speak Up: Develop Your Executive Presence & Leadership Communication Style

478: The Perfectionism Trap That’s Quietly Quashing Your Executive Presence and Leadership Reputation

Oct 27, 2025

Perfectionism might earn you admiration, but it can also render you invisible in leadership. High-achieving introverts often strive for flawless work, which may sabotage their executive presence. Discover when perfectionism is helpful versus harmful, and how it can mask fear and delay progress. Learn to shift your focus from mere execution to visionary leadership. Embrace meaningful communication that showcases your leadership style, transforming polished work into purposeful impact.

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INSIGHT

Perfectionism Can Be A Career Villain

Perfectionism is praised and often helped people rise, yet it can hide career-limiting behaviors.
Laura Camacho frames perfectionism as a sneaky career villain that can make you overlooked for leadership.

ANECDOTE

Star Manager Passed Over For VP

Laura tells the story of Emily, a meticulous senior manager passed over for VP roles despite flawless work.
Her perfectionism made her look safe and tactical rather than strategic and visionary.

INSIGHT

Perfectionism Is Fear Wearing A Productivity Badge

Perfectionism often masks fear of not being good enough and becomes an ego-protecting habit.
That inner voice resets after wins and keeps the cycle of doubt alive, especially in communication.

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Perfectionism may make you admired… but it also makes you overlooked.

In today’s episode, we’re unpacking how perfectionism quietly sabotages your executive presence—and what to do instead so people finally see you as leadership material.

In today’s episode of Speak Up, we unpack how perfectionism—despite being praised—may be the silent career killer that's keeping you stuck. If you're a high-achieving introvert who's constantly striving to prove your worth with flawless work, this episode reveals why that very habit might be making you invisible to decision-makers.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know:

1️⃣ How perfectionism shows up in executive communication—and why it's mistaken for safety, not strategy

🧲Where perfectionism is useful, and where it's quietly costing you visibility and influence

🔑Practical mindset shifts to replace perfection with purposeful progress—and finally be seen as VP-ready

If you're done being the reliable workhorse and ready to be seen as the visionary leader, press play now and start leading with conviction instead of caution.

My Executive Presence Mastery System was built for high-performing professionals like you—the introverts, the perfectionists, the kind but overlooked leaders—who are ready to show up like they own the room.

Visit www.speakupwithlaura.com/speakup or check the show notes above to schedule your confidential strategy call.

We’ll map out exactly what’s been holding you back—and create a personalized strategy so you can lead with conviction, not caution.

We release fresh episodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

In Speak Up communication and executive presence coaching, high performing leaders and executives learn to enhance their influence and confidence, refining their communication style to increase visibility and effectiveness in promotion opportunities.

By honing communication skills and fostering a trusted advisor mindset, aspiring executives cultivate mastery in public speaking and beat imposter syndrome. Your leadership becomes more strategic and inspiring.