When the Achievement Drive Becomes a Trap - with Graziela Cajado Ogland
In part two of the Positive Intelligence mini-series on The Executive Coach Podcast, Maya Gudka and executive coach Graziela Cajado-Ogland explore two saboteurs that organisations often reward: the Hyper-Achiever and the Hyper-Rational.
These patterns can fuel incredible performance, but left unchecked, they distort our sense of self-worth. Maya's clients are increasingly coming to her specifically wanting to work on their self-worth, and this conversation explores why that matters.
Maya shares openly how these saboteurs have impacted her personally, and Graziela brings insights about the real cost of overusing these patterns in leadership and life.
The conversation covers how we link our value to our results and what happens when we fail, why being overly rational can leave people feeling unheard, and the three magic words for high-achievers: "Do you want to be heard, hugged, or helped?" They discuss treating emotions as data rather than distractions, and redefining success on your own terms.
This episode is particularly relevant for leaders who feel their self-worth is tied to outcomes, high-performers struggling to connect emotionally, anyone navigating career transitions or identity shifts, and coaches and executives ready to lead with more empathy.
You’ll Learn:
- Why hyper-achieving can erode self-worth
- How hyper-rationality limits emotional connection and leadership effectiveness
- The link between internal judgment and judgment of others
- Practical ways to redefine success and reclaim your self-worth
- How to treat emotions as data—not distractions
- How to honour your values without burning out
Who This Is For:
- High performers who feel pressure to constantly prove themselves
- Leaders who feel emotionally disconnected or misunderstood
- Coaches, execs, and entrepreneurs ready to build more sustainable success
- Anyone navigating transitions in identity, career, or relationships
You can connect and find out more about Maya on her website www.mayagudka.com
Connect with Graziela on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracoaching/
