by Deepali Vyas — The Elite RecruiterThe Elite Edge: 🚨 The Narratives That Stall Your Career 🚧 — And How to Break Them 💥🔑
Doing The Research For You.
Deepali Vyas
September 22, 2025
In partnership with
✨ A Note From Me
This week marks a full year of writing The Elite Edge 💌
I’m trying out a new look for the newsletter and I want to say how much I’ve appreciated all of your feedback along the way. Every comment, DM, and reply has shaped how I think about what I share here — and how I deliver it to you.
I hope you like the refreshed format. I’m always thinking about how to make this more useful, more actionable, and more honest for you.
Most importantly, thank you for being on this journey with me. You’ve given me so much inspiration to keep pushing forward, to keep truth-telling, and to stay on my mission: democratizing access to the insider knowledge that helps you win the corporate game.
Here’s to another 52 weeks — and beyond 🚀
Elite Edge — Week 53: 💡 The Big Idea
Some of the most dangerous traps in corporate life aren’t toxic bosses or bad projects. They’re the stories we’re told—and repeat—about how careers really work.
After 25 years in executive search, I’ve seen too many talented professionals stall because they internalized the wrong narrative.
Here are five that sound good on paper… but often backfire in practice:
🔹 “We’re a family.”
That’s nice—until budgets tighten. Loyalty matters, but don’t confuse it with security.
🔹 “Just work hard and you’ll get noticed.”
Effort matters, but visibility, sponsorship, and self-advocacy move careers faster.
🔹 “There’s no budget for raises.”
Sometimes true. But I’ve seen new hires come in above existing employees. Leverage, not loyalty, changes comp.
🔹 “We promote from within.”
Yes—sometimes. But relationship capital often trumps tenure.
🔹 “This is a learning opportunity.”
Great—if it comes with recognition, growth, or comp. If not, it’s just free labor with a nice bow.
👉 The point: these narratives aren’t evil, but taking them at face value can stall your growth. Challenge them. Ask sharper questions. Play the game with your eyes open.
🎯 What To Do Instead (With Scripts You Can Use)
Narrative #1: “We’re a family.”
🔑 Treat it like a business relationship—because that’s what it is.
Script:
“I value being part of this team, but I’m also thinking about how I can grow my skills and impact. What opportunities are available for me to expand my scope here?”
Narrative #2: “Just work hard and you’ll get noticed.”
🔑 Pair hard work with strategic visibility.
Script:
“I’d like to share the outcomes from the project—here are the metrics we hit and the cost savings. Could you help me socialize this across the leadership team?”
Narrative #3: “There’s no budget for raises.”
🔑 Test whether it’s really budget—or leverage.
Script:
“If a raise isn’t possible right now, what other forms of recognition—equity, title change, stretch assignment—could we explore?”
Narrative #4: “We promote from within.”
🔑 Don’t assume tenure equals advancement. Build relationship capital.
Script:
“I’d like to understand what skills and relationships were most critical for people who successfully moved into X role. Could you share your perspective?”
Narrative #5: “This is a learning opportunity.”
🔑 Separate true growth from free labor.
Script:
“I’m open to taking this on—if we can align on how this will be recognized in my performance review or tied to my development plan.”
💡 The Meta-Rule: Anytime you hear a narrative, flip it into a question that tests whether it’s real or rhetoric:
“What would success look like if I do take this on?”
“How will this be measured?”
“Who else needs to know about the impact I’m creating?”
🥊 This Week’s Corporate Confession
Yesterday, I went live and broke down the unspoken rules that actually drive careers — and the response was incredible.
If you missed it, don’t worry. I have some big announcements coming soon about what’s next — and how I’ll be giving you even more access to the insider playbook.📌 Stay subscribed here so you don’t miss it. | Here’s what people said after the session: “I’ve been in corporate 15 years and no one ever explained it this way — you cut through all the noise.” “I finally feel like I understand how to play the game without losing myself.” |
📰 What I Read This Week…
How to Handle a Job Market That’s Worse Than It Looks – On the surface, unemployment numbers look stable. But dig deeper and the reality is tougher: underemployment is rising, job seekers are taking longer to land roles, and many are settling for positions below their experience level. The article offers strategies for navigating this environment — from sharpening your network to reframing your value in ways that resonate with employers under pressure.
Why 95% of AI Pilots Fail — and What Leaders Should Fear – MIT researchers found that nearly all AI pilots flop, but not because the tech doesn’t work. The real failure point is leadership: lack of strategy, poor integration, and cultural resistance. It’s a warning shot to executives — the risk isn’t AI itself, it’s failing to redesign processes, accountability, and org structures around it.
💼 Job Market News
Layoffs Update: Multiple sectors still trimming despite “soft landing” headlines.
RTO Pressure: Average across Fortune 100 is up to 3.9 days in office.
Executive Search: Demand for AI and data leaders remains the hottest segment.
📈 Career Play
Audit the narratives you’ve been sold. Ask yourself:
Which of these am I still operating under?
Where do I need to trade blind loyalty for leverage?
What’s one narrative I’ll stop repeating this quarter?
😂 Meme of the Week
"We’re a family"—until they call it a “business decision.”
🌐 PS – My New Website Is Live
I just launched deepalivyas.com 🚀 You’ll find more about my mission, how I can help, and ways to connect directly. You’re the first to see it—take a look and let me know what you think.
✦ I’m Deepali Vyas, your Elite Recruiter.
I tell you the truths about work they don’t put in the handbook.
🔥 Elite Job Drops
These openings are under the radar — not on LinkedIn, not on job boards. I’m sharing them here first, to connect top talent with real, unposted opportunities 👇
🔥 Elite Resources
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