Being Good Is Costing You
Over the years, I've worked with hundreds of mid-level professionals who are confident, competent, and completely unbothered standing in front of a room. And almost none of them get credit for being good. Here's what nobody is telling you:
You're "fine" — so nobody flags you for Improvement.
Solid Is boring. Audiences remember the disasters before they remember you.
Your skills blend into your peers'. Only the exceptional and the terrible stand out.
Clients see you as reliable — not as a consequential asset.
Welcome to the Invisible Middle. It's Comfortable. But It Doesn't Help You.
Strong presentation skills are an advantage that counts. 72% of corporate recruiters now rank strong communication and presentation skills as the single most critical factor in a professional's long-term value and job security, according to GMAC's 2026 Corporate Recruiters Survey.
So how do you move from good to great?
Three things I tell every person caught in the middle:
Do the deeper prep — a real point of view, a story structure, built-in engagement moments, and rehearsal that sharpens rather than stiffens you.
Seek out coaching. Peers, your boss, a professional coach — feedback you can actually use to move the needle.
Show energy and initiative. Executives notice effort, not just competence. If you've been solid for 10 years, breaking the pattern starts with one decision, not ten.
Want to upskill yourself or your team? I can help. Reach out: to me at Mark@voyageurtraining.com
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