P.I.E. = Performance, Image and Exposure. This is your success formula. If you have one element without the others, you can end up on the slow road to success. I’ve seen it happen to executives, professionals and entrepreneurs. Here are some example personalities we will all recognize from the office. Do you have a great story about one of these people in your office? Tell us.
- The Worker Bee – You know this person, perhaps you are this person. They come in early, stay late and crunch all the important numbers for the big meeting. The Worker Bee knows a lot, but ask yourself how often these folks get noticed for their work in a big way. That’s right, almost never. They have the performance, but the wrong image or limited exposure to move ahead. If you don’t have the image or charisma of a leader, or the exposure to get noticed, then the credit for great performance will often go to others.
- Mr. Important – This is the person that walks around all day looking important and making connections while the real performers toil away with little recognition, and bitter feelings. They have the image down correctly, but they have very little ability to make great decisions and lead when needed. Mr. Important often gets promoted. However, one day, they get shown up; sometimes in a very public and excruciatingly painful way. They are great negotiators and they delegate well. Many of them get very far with this persona. Secretly though, their staff ends up leaving their team in order to find better leadership elsewhere.
- The Rock Star – This person is known and liked by all, including the management team. They have a great image and tons of exposure. Unfortunately, there is often not enough substance to get the job done and they are not seen to have the right “leadership image” for the company. Rock Stars often get great perks, but there is ceiling to their success in certain office environments. So, while this image may look like the one to be, the Rock Star cannot succeed without a wingman with substance.
How Can You Get More PIE?
- Improve Your Performance at Work - Performance is important, but it must be focused
- Understand what the key business strategies are
- Link your daily work to the key business strategies
- Track you work’s ROI impact to the business using the company’s key indicators (KPIs)
- Improve Your Image – Image can make or break your career
- Use the iPod marketing strategy (nice packaging and a contemporary look). The ipod is not the best MP3 player, it’s just the best marketed one
- Develop a personal Brand that suits you and your organization
- Get More Exposure - Recognition from your peers and your leaders will put you in the fast lane
- Become the “go-to” person (for leadership, innovation, quality, industry knowledge)
- Don’t be afraid to talk about what you’re working on and its relevance to the business goals
- Seize the opportunities to get face-time with the boss
- Volunteer for tough projects and strut your stuff
