Performance in the spotlight: the effect of high-profile career debut performance on objective career success

Purpose A high-profile career debut refers to one’s first prominent and publicly visible appearance in their career, characterized by varying levels of performance across individuals. Despite its significance, particularly in professions that attract widespread public attention, there is little empirical evidence on its impact on career trajectories. Adopting the path dependency perspective, this study explores the relationship between high-profile career debut performance and objective career success. Design/methodology/approach An archival study was conducted on male professional tennis players who once competed in Grand Slam tournaments (N = 327) during a specific time period. Findings The results reveal a “high-profile career debut effect,” indicating that performance during a high-profile career debut is positively associated with objective career success. This effect is particularly pronounced for male players who debuted at a younger age. Additionally, a supplementary archival study of scholars affiliated with top business schools further corroborates the main findings. Practical implications Practitioners, especially those in publicly visible and well-documented careers, are advised to excel at key career landmarks. This is especially important for those who achieve such milestones at a young age. Originality/value This study pioneers the exploration of a high-profile career debut as a critical career landmark, identifying the path dependency effect of performance during such debuts on future objective career success and delineating boundary conditions for specific populations.