INTHEBLACK October 2026 - Magazine - Page 54
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Words Nicola Heath
IT TOOK A HEALTH SCARE FOR FLEUR MARKS TO REALISE SHE
was pushing herself beyond her limits in her career. The leadership
expert and author of The Overachiever’s Reset was diagnosed with
two serious illnesses in quick succession.
“I faced two years fighting for my life, countless rounds of
chemotherapy, immunotherapy and steroids, just to get my body
back under control,” she says.
Until that point, Marks had hit goal after goal in her professional life.
“On the outside, I looked like the definition of success.” Internally,
however, she felt empty. “I was beginning to question how much
longer I could keep it up, juggling all these roles.”
She soon realised she would need to redefine success and reset
her mindset to build a more sustainable career.
HIGH- VERSUS OVER-ACHIEVERS
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to this story
54 INTHEBLACK October 2026
From the outside, little distinguishes a high achiever from an
overachiever. The difference is internal, says leadership strategist
Moran Baillie.
“For high achievers, their self-worth is not connected to how
much they achieve, whereas with overachievers, there is a direct
link between achievement and their sense of self-worth.”
High performers and overachievers view success differently.
fa i l s
Overachievement may look impressive from
the outside, but it is ultimately unsustainable.
Redefining success can help to create
balanced long-term performance.
