There’s a moment in every corporate career when you’re handed a cup of Kool-Aid—full of promises of prestige, power, and that coveted seat at the table.
It’s tempting to drink, especially when you’ve just been promoted and suddenly find yourself in the inner circle.
But that drink often comes with a cost.
When I was promoted to District Manager at a Fortune 5 company, I was eager to prove myself.
But instead of focusing on innovation and strategy, the task I was given was to slash payroll budgets.
Having spent years on the front lines as a pharmacist, I knew what it meant to work with a skeleton crew—the toll it took on morale, service, and ultimately, the bottom line.
So I pushed back.
Hard.
I chose to invest in my team, even if it meant overspending on payroll.
It wasn’t the popular decision, and I spent a lot of time defending my choices in tough accountability meetings.
But I was willing to rise or fall by my decision.
In the end, my team didn’t just meet goals—we exceeded them.
We built trust, loyalty, and a commitment to success that numbers alone can’t measure.
It wasn’t the easy path, but it was the right one.
Sometimes, true leadership means breaking the mold and pushing back against the pressures.
If you want real growth, you have to be willing to stand by your convictions, even if it means standing alone.
When was the last time you refused to drink the “Kool-Aid?”
Independent Living Manager/Area Business Office Director at Edgewood Healthcare
1moCongratulations Tracy!! You are definitely one of my “Go To Girls “!! Enjoy Florida ❣️🌞