The Good Student Trap: 5 Habits Holding Smart Women Back at Work

Are your "good student" habits secretly holding your career back? You did everything right. Got the grades. Stayed responsible. Worked hard. Kept your head down. So why does the workplace suddenly feel confusing, frustrating, and exhausting? In this episode of The Thrive Careers Podcast, Olajumoke Fatoki sits down with Brianne Carlon Rush — COO, hiring leader, and career strategist — to unpack the hidden habits quietly keeping high-achieving women invisible at work. From perfectionism and people-pleasing to approval addiction and overworking, this conversation reveals why the exact behaviours rewarded in school can sabotage your confidence, visibility, and career growth once you're in the workforce. In this episode, you'll learn: Why perfectionism is quietly costing talented women promotions and opportunities The "extra credit mindset" that keeps women overworked but overlooked How to stop being invisible in meetings — and become influential instead Why employers (including McKinsey) now care more about your thinking than flawless answers The SHIFT Framework for breaking career-limiting habits How to use the network you already have to land interviews faster — without cold DMs About Brianne Carlon Rush: Brianne is a COO, hiring leader, and career strategist who helps high-achieving women transition from academic success to workplace influence. Post-Grad Networking Rubric · LinkedIn · TikTok · Instagram If you enjoyed this episode, here are the best ways to keep thriving with us: 🎧 Follow The Thrive Careers Podcast Apple Podcasts · Spotify · Amazon Music · Show website 📚 Build your career skills on purpose Job Ready: Essential Career Skills for Workplace Success 💼 Work with Olajumoke Fatoki — career coaching + HR consulting thrivecareersconsulting.org · Contact · [email protected] 📲 Connect for daily career insights LinkedIn · Instagram · YouTube · TikTok · Facebook 💛 Support the show (starting at $3/month) Let's keep thriving together. ✨ Support the show