Performance Isn't Enough

Strong performance feels like it should be enough. But many leaders reach a point where doing great work no longer drives advancement, and suddenly the rules feel unclear. Visibility, stakeholder perception, and delivery start to matter more than performance alone.

In this episode, Emily Frieze-Kemeny sits down with May Busch, former Morgan Stanley COO, career coach, and author of VISIBLE. After a 24-year leadership career in investment banking, May now works with executives and managers to help them navigate the often unspoken dynamics that shape career progression.

Together, Emily and May explore what happens when performance stops being the differentiator and leadership becomes about influence and visibility. They unpack how to coach strong performers whose ideas aren’t getting noticed, how to give honest feedback about presence and perception, how leaders can help their teams understand the broader stakeholder landscape that impacts careers, and when advocating too hard for the wrong people becomes a credibility issue.

Whether you're developing future leaders, managing high performers, or navigating your own next step, this conversation offers practical ways to coach beyond performance, helping people build visibility without sacrificing authenticity.

Timestamps:

• [00:06:59] When Performance Stops Being Enough - Emily and May explore the moment many leaders hit where strong work alone no longer drives advancement. They discuss the shift toward visibility, stakeholder awareness, and why leaders must help their teams understand the broader decision-making landscape.
• [00:11:30] Coaching Delivery, Not Just Capability - May shares how talented contributors can be overlooked when their communication lacks clarity or conviction. Emily and May discuss coaching on presence, brevity, and helping strong performers translate expertise into influence.
• [00:21:00] Giving Honest Feedback About the System - Emily and May unpack how to speak truth about perception, politics, and readiness without demotivating someone. They explore contracting upfront, tying feedback to aspirations, and holding space for emotional reactions.
• [00:36:11] Advocating Without Losing Credibility - The conversation turns to stakeholder missteps, promotion decisions, and pacing frustrations. Emily and May discuss when to push for someone, when to step back, and how leaders balance support with honest guidance about timing.

Access the episode transcript.

Join the Conversation: This year we’re taking audience questions! Send in your toughest people management and leadership challenges, and we’ll anonymize them and tackle them in an upcoming episode. Email Abigail on our Let’s Talk, People team with your situation as a written note or voice memo to abigail@arosegroup.com.

Connect with Emily Frieze-Kemeny on LinkedIn and Instagram or explore her work through AROSE Group’s website.

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