You stay late, deliver results, and go the extra mile, yet the promotions, leadership roles, and career growth you deserve are not happening. You may be making the biggest career mistake by assuming that your work will speak for itself. The reality? Hard work alone won’t get you ahead.
This was a game-changer for me when I learned about the P.I.E. formula by Harvey Coleman—a framework that breaks down what actually drives career success. And here’s the surprising truth: performance only accounts for 10%.
So if you are relying solely on hard work, you are missing 90% of what actually moves the needle in your career. Let’s dive into what really matters and how you can start using it to accelerate your career today.
The P.I.E Formula: The Real Drivers of Career Success
Career success is not just about what you do—it is about how you position yourself. The P.I.E formula breaks this down into three key areas:
Performance (10%)
This is the quality of your work. Yes, it matters. But it is just the baseline. You can be the hardest-working person in the office, but if no one knows about your contributions, it won’t move the needle.
Image (30%)
This is your personal brand and how others perceive you at work. Are you seen as a leader? Are you someone others trust and respect? Your image influences the opportunities you receive and how people interact with you.
Exposure (60%)
This is the biggest piece of the puzzle. It is about being visible to the right people—leaders, decision-makers, and influencers who can open doors for you. If you are great at what you do but the right people do not know about it, you are limiting your career growth.
Why Working Hard is Not Enough
Many professionals fall into the trap of working hard in silence. They believe that results should speak for themselves. But here is what actually happens when you rely on performance alone:
- You get passed over for promotions because someone else was more visible.
- You do not get assigned to high-impact projects because your boss does not fully know your capabilities.
- You miss out on opportunities because you are not in the rooms where key decisions are made.
If you are putting in the work but not seeing progress, it is time to shift your focus beyond performance and start building your brand and visibility.
How to Show Up, Stand Out, and Get Noticed
If hard work alone will not get you ahead, what should you do instead? Here are four key strategies:
1. Communicate Your Wins
Do not assume people know what you have accomplished. Share your successes in team meetings, performance reviews, and casual conversations. Keep track of your achievements so you can speak confidently about your contributions when opportunities arise.
2. Strengthen Your Personal Brand
Your personal brand shapes how people see you. Be intentional about how you show up—optimize your LinkedIn profile, contribute to discussions, and position yourself as an expert in your field. Visibility is not about bragging; it is about making sure people associate you with your expertise.
3. Build Relationships with Key Stakeholders
Visibility is not just about being seen—it is about being seen by the right people. Develop relationships with decision-makers, mentors, and sponsors who can advocate for you. Building a strong network will open doors that hard work alone cannot.
4. Speak Up and Take Initiative
If you tend to stay in the background, challenge yourself to step up in meetings, lead projects, or present your ideas. The more visible you are, the more people will associate you with leadership potential.
Conclusion
If you want to advance in your career, you need more than just strong performance. You need to build your personal brand and increase your visibility.
If you are ready to position yourself for leadership and career success, click here to book a sales call with me. Let’s develop a strategy to get you noticed and help you land your first leadership role.
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