Your career is like a block of stone—full of potential, waiting to be shaped. Growth isn’t about adding more, but about carving away what no longer fits: outdated habits, limiting beliefs, or roles that hold you back. Imperfections and detours don’t ruin the masterpiece; they make it unique. You are both the stone and the sculptor, and every choice you make reveals more of the career you were meant to build.

As a career coach and leadership advisor, I’ve seen it time and time again—managers baffled by why their new hires aren’t working out. The truth? Many fall into subtle traps, such as vibe hires and mirror bias, where people are hired based on how they make others feel rather than their actual qualificat for the role. This article unpacks why even well-meaning leaders continue to choose the wrong candidates and offers practical, mindset-shifting strategies to help you break th