They were the top of their class, the ones everyone bet on.
And yet… five years into their careers, they’ve plateaued.

Welcome to the intelligence paradox — where being the smartest person in the room quietly becomes your biggest liability.

We’ve been told intelligence is the golden ticket. But in corporate life, raw IQ is rarely what separates the rising stars from the ones stuck in analysis paralysis.

The problem isn’t capability — it’s calibration.

Smart people are trained to solve problems. Great leaders learn to define which problems are worth solving.

When your brain runs on overdrive, you:

The higher you rise, the less success depends on what you know — and the more it depends on how you navigate what you don’t.

I’ve seen this play out in boardrooms, interview panels, and executive transitions. The most brilliant candidate in the room often gets passed over for the one who communicates clarity, conviction, and composure.

Because intelligence without executive judgment is like horsepower without steering.

If you’ve hit a ceiling, stop assuming you need to learn more.
Start learning differently.

High performers who break through learn to:

Intelligence opens doors. But adaptability, empathy, and presence keep them open.

The smartest people don’t always win — the most self-aware ones do.

“I used to believe my intelligence was my advantage — until I realized it was my armor.”
— Senior Product Executive, Big Tech

Translation: When your intellect becomes your identity, every failure feels personal. Detach from being right and focus on being effective.

High-Paying Healthcare Jobs That Don’t Require a College Degree
The healthcare industry is rewriting the rules of upward mobility — and fast.
This piece breaks down how hospitals and clinics are widening talent pipelines for roles that pay six figures without a four-year degree. It’s a wake-up call for both employers and job seekers: skill-based hiring is no longer a future trend — it’s happening now. The bigger takeaway? Smart doesn’t always mean schooled. The next decade will reward those who can learn fast, not just those who learned formally. [Wall Street Journal]

How a Great Team Holds Itself Together
A quiet masterpiece on emotional glue in teams — the small, unspoken behaviors that make or break performance. From gratitude rituals to candid check-ins, this article shows how the best teams don’t just share goals; they share guardrails of trust. In an era obsessed with “high IQ” hires, this story is a reminder that psychological safety is the new competitive advantage. [Wall Street Journal]

Something a little fun this week… 🙂

The intelligence paradox isn’t about being too smart.
It’s about being too attached to being smart.

Smart people think their way to success.
Wise people feel their way through it.

If that hit home, forward this to the smartest person you know who might be stuck — they’ll thank you later.

You’ve got the Edge. Now sharpen it.

Until next week,
— Deepali Vyas
Your Elite Recruiter
Doing the research so you don’t have to.

Empowering U.S. High School Students for the AI-Future

The founders of Correlation One are thrilled to announce a free, virtual workshop designed especially for U.S. high school students (Grades 9-12, ages 14+) with no prior coding or technical experience required.
Here’s what your students will gain:

This initiative aims to reach 100,000 American high school students and teachers, helping them get ready for careers in AI—and beyond.

👉 Register here for free
(Weekend and weekday session options available — attend from anywhere in the U.S.)

Let’s give the next generation the tools to lead responsibly in an AI-driven world.

These openings are under the radar — not on LinkedIn, not on job boards.
I’m sharing them here first, to connect top talent with real, unposted opportunities 👇

Software was supposed to make work easier. Instead, most teams are buried under it.

That’s SaaD – Software as a Disservice. Dozens of disconnected tools waste time, duplicate work, and inflate costs.

Rippling changes the story. By unifying HR, IT, and Finance on one platform, Rippling eliminates silos and manual busywork.

Companies like Cursor, Clay, and Sierra have already left outdated ways of working behind – gaining clarity, speed, and control.

Don’t get SaaD. Get Rippling.

Is SaaD hurting you?

I made a promise to bring you two live webinars every month, and November’s lineup is officially here.

If you’ve been sitting on a job search, eyeing that promotion, or trying to pivot but feel stuck — this is your sign.

You’ll get 75 minutes of hot-seat coaching with me and my elite team of coaches — practical tools, direct feedback, and zero corporate fluff. Just real, insider strategy that actually moves your career forward.

🗓 Upcoming Sessions:

✨ What attendees are saying:
💬 “The most practical career advice I’ve ever received — live and in real time.”
💬 “No fluff. Just clarity, strategy, and confidence.”
💬 “It felt like insider coaching I never got at work.”

Let’s get you unstuck and moving — with the exact tools top performers use to play (and win) the corporate game.

I would love to know what you thought of this newsletter and any feedback you have for me. Do you have a favorite part? Wish I would add something? Felt confused? Please reply and share your thoughts!