Are you the “go-to girl”?
I’ve had a number of conversations this week with smart, mid-career professional women who have fallen into the trap of being the “go-to girl.”
Perhaps you too are the go-to girl. Or you might be known as the Jack of all trades, the fix-it woman or have earned the label of “reliable”. Eek!
I get it. I was this woman for a long time. And I wore the label like a badge of honor!
I liked the fact that people would seek me out, knowing that I was the only one in the team to really take the time to help them. It fueled my ego to be needed!
But I had no clue how much it was holding me back. On reflection now, I realise that I was seen as a doer not as the leader I wanted to be seen as.
A comment from the HR director about “over mothering” the team now makes sense. At the time, it was nothing but insulting and hurtful. Now I realise he was providing guidance on how I could step up to lead more effectively.
So what’s the problem with being the go-to girl?
1. Your plate becomes over full.
I don’t need to tell you this. You know it already. You are super busy. You’re working long hours without making any real progress. You’re exhausted. And at times it’s overwhelming. You have no bandwidth for creativity or strategic thinking.
2. You are so busy doing – there is no time to truly lead
You may have the title of leader, but who has the time or headspace to really lead? Finding the time to sit quietly to think, plan and strategise is for many go-to girls … well … pie in the sky. And building and nurturing a high-performing team takes your consistent time, energy and focus, which you have so little of.
3. It’s killing your career progression
You don’t get seen, heard, valued or promoted for doing the busy work. It’s as simple as that!
When was the last time you did something that truly moved the dial on a personal career goal or a business goal?
Being the go-to girl will inevitably keep you stuck in the weeds – doing what I call busy work. And you don’t get promoted for doing the busy work! Someone has to do it, but it’s time to pass it onto someone else.
So what now…
If you are the go-to girl, stuck in the weeds of doing rather than leading, then it’s time for change. Your career goals will not be met while you stay stuck in this place.
Click below to…
Similar Blog Posts

A Change of Perception
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that an incredibly accomplished woman may find herself held back… Held back from achieving her aspirations, from stepping into her leadership potential and from becoming even more accomplished.
Jane Benston


What’s holding you back?
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that an incredibly accomplished woman may find herself held back… Held back from achieving her aspirations, from stepping into her leadership potential and from becoming even more accomplished.
Jane Benston


How to break free of the…
I’ve had some incredibly enlightening conversations this week with smart, mid-career professional women who, like me, fell into the sneaky trap of being the notorious “go-to girl.” Maybe you can relate. Are you known as the Jack of all trades, the fix-it woman, or have you earned the label of “reliable”? Oh boy, it’s time to take a closer look.
Jane Benston
