Working Hard but Standing Still? Why High Performers Plateau — and How Coaching Gets You Moving Again

Victoria Canham • 23 April 2025 • 3 min read

Victoria Canham Coaching: Light movement representing coaching progress

"Each person holds so much power within themselves that needs to be let out. Sometimes they just need a little nudge, a little direction, a little support, a little coaching, and the greatest things can happen." – Pete Carroll

There’s a moment that hits even the most ambitious professional.

You’re ticking every box. Leading teams. Hitting targets. Staying late. Thinking ahead.

And yet, nothing’s really moving.

You feel flat. Disconnected. Like you’re pouring energy into something that just isn’t giving back.

You’re not failing, but you’re not progressing either.

This is what the plateau looks like. And if you’ve hit it, chances are, you’re a high performer.

The Quiet Burnout No One Tells You About

You’ve done everything “right”.

You’re the one people rely on — the calm in the storm, the fixer, the thinker.

But lately, your calendar feels like a treadmill. Meetings blur into each other. The goals feel hollow. The spark’s gone.

This is not about working harder; you couldn’t if you tried, and you’re already flat out. This isn’t laziness. It’s not complacency.

It’s about hitting the ceiling of what got you here and realising it won’t get you there.

Why High Performers Plateau

Let’s be honest: you didn’t reach this level by being average.

So why does it suddenly feel like you’re standing still?

Here’s what I see time and again in my executive coaching sessions:

▶️ You’ve lost the mental white space to think clearly

▶️ You’re running on autopilot — doing what’s expected, not what excites you

▶️ You’re isolated — the higher you climb, the fewer people you can really talk to

▶️ You can’t tell if it’s just a rut… or something bigger

Sound familiar?

How the Energy Leadership Index Helps You Break Through

One of the first tools I use with my coaching clients is the Energy Leadership Index (ELI) — a powerful, research-backed assessment that measures how you show up in life and work.

Unlike personality tests, the ELI shows you how your energy and mindset impact everything from leadership presence to stress response and decision-making.

It reveals exactly where you’re holding yourself back — and gives us the data to change it. Identifies your patterns so that we can help you stop them.

High performers often operate in catabolic (draining) energy without realising it. The ELI helps us shift that — unlocking higher performance, better communication, and more purposeful leadership.

This is how we move you from good to outstanding — not by changing who you are, but by elevating how you lead.

Why Coaching Works (When Podcasts and Books Don’t)

Self-help advice is everywhere, but it’s not personalised. It’s not strategic. And it rarely challenges your thinking. You may even read, or listen, along and think - that sounds great, I'm absolutely going to do all that, but then you put the book down and move on to other, less daunting change-like things.

Performance coaching is different. It’s not about motivation. It’s about movement.

When you coach with me, we’re not just having a chat. We’re building something concrete:

▶️ A clear action plan

▶️ A bespoke development plan based on your goals

▶️ A deep dive into how your energy affects your outcomes (via the ELI assessment)

▶️ Real strategies using proven coaching models and tools

▶️ Tangible momentum — fast

Coaching is not about fixing you, because you are not broken. It’s about helping you lead, live, and decide with clarity again.

What Happens in a Coaching Session?

It’s not therapy. It’s not a chat over coffee. It’s a high-impact hour focused on you.

We look at your mindset, your goals, your performance, and your life.

We tackle blind spots, rebuild confidence, and challenge assumptions.

We talk about relationships, pressure, leadership, fear, and identity — because they’re all connected.

Every session is shaped around you, but it always includes:

▶️ Strategic reflection (what’s working, what’s not)

▶️ Clear goals and measurable progress

▶️ A practical action plan to move forward

▶️ Accountability and honest feedback

▶️ Ongoing integration of your Energy Leadership profile to maximise performance.

What My Clients Actually Get Out of Coaching

Here’s what real-life high performers experience after coaching:

✳️ A promotion or career pivot they didn’t think possible

✳️ Energy and focus they thought they’d lost for good

✳️ Better communication at work and at home

✳️ Sharper decision-making and stronger leadership skills

✳️ A work environment that finally works for themConfidence that sticks — even under pressure

✳️ A clear shift in how they lead and respond to pressure — based on real data from the ELI

One of my clients, a senior leader in tech, came to me exhausted, unclear, and stuck between two roles.

Six months later, he’d landed a bespoke leadership position that reignited his ambition and gave him the space to be present at home.That’s what real performance improvement looks like.

This Is for You If…

✳️ You’re a senior professional or business owner who’s hit a plateau

✳️ You know you’re capable of more, but can’t see the next step

✳️ You want clarity, challenge, and support — without the fluff

✳️ You’re ready to lead and live with purpose again

✳️ You’re interested in evidence-based coaching tools like the Energy Leadership Index to drive measurable change

The Bottom Line

If you’re working harder than ever but feeling stuck, this is your sign.

You don’t need to push more. You need perspective.

You need a space to think, plan, grow — and get out of your own head.

That’s what I do. I help high performers get moving again — with clarity, confidence, and a coaching process that actually works.

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re ready to move beyond the plateau and start performing at the level you know you’re capable of — book a discovery session and let’s build your next chapter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I’ve hit a performance plateau?

A plateau often shows up as a feeling of stagnation despite ongoing success. You may feel flat, uninspired, or like you're just going through the motions — even while hitting targets. If your drive is there but your momentum isn’t, chances are you’re in it.

What is the Energy Leadership Index (ELI)?

The ELI is a research-backed assessment that measures how you show up energetically in your work and life. Unlike personality tests, it reveals how stress, mindset, and default patterns impact your performance — and gives us a blueprint to shift what’s not working.

How quickly will I see results from coaching?

Clients typically start to feel clarity and forward momentum within the first few sessions. Using the ELI and strategic coaching tools, we often see tangible changes in leadership, decision-making, and energy levels within the first 6–12 weeks.

Is this coaching only for executives?

Not at all. While I work with senior leaders and business owners, this approach is ideal for anyone who’s ambitious, capable, and stuck at a frustrating plateau. If you want results and are ready to be challenged and supported — it’s for you.

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Victoria Canham - Your Performance Partner

Victoria is an ICF-accredited certified professional coach, who offers personalised performance coaching. With a background in change management and countless hours of professional coaching training and experience, I made the big switch to full-time coaching in 2020. I know what it is like to suddenly have the rug pulled out from under you while you're busy making other plans, as a result, I now help people like you to bounce back from adversity and major setbacks to emerge stronger and better than ever before. Our clients have transformed from feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges to confident, goal-driven individuals who navigate life's obstacles with ease. They've achieved their personal and professional objectives and embodied peak performance in all aspects of life. You too can experience this transformation. This is your moment. Your chance to take control, to choose growth over stagnation, achievement over inaction. This is your opportunity to prove to yourself that you're not defined by your challenges—you're defined by how you rise above them. Are you ready to transform your life and achieve peak performance?