In the meeting with the executives I'm smooth and sharp, and they leave impressed. Then I turn back to my own team and realize I barely know what they need from me. I keep getting promoted for how I look to the people above me, not for how I actually lead the people below me.
More people experience this than they realize.
You get rewarded for managing your bosses while your own team quietly goes unled.
If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.