The Hidden Cost of Being Too Good at Your Job | Latesha Byrd | TEDxCharlotte

What happens when the most capable person in the room is also the most depleted? There is a tax on excellence. And people spend years paying it before they even know it exists. In this talk, Latesha Byrd introduces the high performance tax, the hidden mechanism by which systems extract maximum value from the people most committed to excellence, without ever returning it in kind. Through powerful storytelling, real-world examples, and a clear systems diagnosis, Latesha breaks down why excellence in the wrong environment isn't rewarded; it's extracted. She also explains what it actually looks like to stop paying a tax you never agreed to. Her message is both a wake-up call and a roadmap for people ready to reclaim their value, redefine success, and decide what they're no longer willing to agree to. She provides a 3 step framework that helps you take your power back to not lose yourself to your career. Latesha is the Founder and CEO of Perfeqta, where she partners with organizations to design people-first cultures, elevate leadership, and build systems that unlock team potential. As an Executive Coach and Speaker, she guides leaders through change with a focus on team alignment, cultural clarity, and long-term sustainability. With over a decade of experience across leadership development, inclusion, and talent strategy, Latesha brings a bold, people-first approach to her work—grounded in empathy, cultural insight, and a commitment to systems-level change. She believes high-performing cultures aren’t built by chance—they’re built with intentional care, and rooted in purposeful strategy. At Perfeqta, she helps clients connect their people strategy with their purpose and performance. Passionate about leadership development for people from historically excluded groups, she founded (now sold and acquired) Career Chasers, a global career coaching community for Black and brown women. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx