This list seems to me too general, Matthew. It applies to anyone, not just to the top performers. And some seem to be vague, like 3. lack of engagement. My experience with top performers is probably a bit different. I see many issues there. Here I am missing on your list - Not a team player. Nowadays the most tasks in creative or knowledge-intensive industries require a collaborative team. It is not anymore about a single star. Top performers often have difficulty collaborating in a team. Especially, when it consists of people with average or below-average knowledge or performance. The behavior of the top performer causes disruptions, and organizations look for avoiding conflicts at all costs. Sadly, they let the top performers go then. Loss-loss for both sides. In my observation, I usually do not see so many top performers in companies. But nearly everyone thinks it is him.