The Keys to Success: Performance, Image, Exposure
October 25, 2009 at 12:50 pm 9 comments
Take a moment and ask yourself what matters most to your career advancement. What percentage value would you place on each part of the P.I.E. – performance, image, and exposure. When I did this activity at a recent conference, I said that for me personally, 60% was performance, 30% image, and 10% exposure. This is what has been true of my career advancement thus far. I have worked really hard and a few people have taken notice. I have been aware of my image, always dressing for the job I want, not the one I have. Admittedly, I’ve been a bit oblivious to the exposure factor.
The speaker at the conference challenged the audience to think of what matters most in pretty much the exact opposite manner. She said that 60% should be exposure, 30% image, and 10% performance. Essentially, the performance part is assumed. The rest is what matters most. I can 100% see that this is how the work world operates. In fact, I went out the next weekend and bought some more suits and scheduled a lunch with a mover and shaker.
But doesn’t the Bible say to work as unto the Lord – to work with the strength that God supplies (clearly valuing the performance part). Don’t we learn that whoever exalts himself will be abased. Aren’t we to humble ourselves in sight of the Lord and He will lift us up?
I know that we are not meant to be doormats in the workplace. I get that. But the idea of self promotion seems suspicious. Won’t the Lord ‘cut off the tongue that speaks proud things.’ Or is it not self-promotion if someone else is doing the promoting for us?
I get that the P.I.E. thing is reality. We need a good image; we need to be in front of the right people. We need people who will advocate for us. And I don’t see that this is unbiblical. I guess I’m struggling with how we get there in a biblical way. What are some of the integrity-leaching pitfalls to be avoided? Is career advancement the wrong goal? I doubt it. We are designed to have a vision and passions that mean that we will grow in our careers. Am I over thinking this and it just is what it is?
Any thoughts out there in the blogosphere?
Entry filed under: Practical tools, Sacred vs. Secular. Tags: culture, perspective, pride, work.
1.
Leon de Rijke | October 26, 2009 at 2:11 am
Here’s my thought:
Performance, it’s fairly easy to work in our own strength, as opposed to working in the strength/power of the Spirit. Sometimes we find ourselves pushing against a mountain, while “all we need to do” is to speak to the mountain so it will be gone.
Image, we are to be changed according to the image of Christ, so eventually it’ll be more of Jesus in the spotlight.
Exposure, the verse comes to mind: “(…) let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Mat. 5:16. It’s no problem to have exposure, it will cause people to see our deeds (performance?), and it will cause them to praise our Father.
2.
shrinkingthecamel | October 26, 2009 at 2:37 am
I wonder if you are actually overthinking it. I sometimes see Christians trying to overspiritualize everything, or find a bilbical backdrop for every move they make, when it is just good, common sense. There is nothing suspicious about working smart, which includes networking and making a good impression. We can’t sit around all day and wait for God to do everything for us. It’s a partnership, sort of. He expects us to move, then he, in turn, blesses our work. At least that’s how I see it. And isn’t there a verse somewhere about Christians being sly as a fox? You can let me know if you find it!
3.
Michele Corbett | November 1, 2009 at 8:45 am
shrinkingthecamel. Thanks for helping me keep my head on straight. I could not find a verse about Christians being sly as a fox. What I found in reference to the fox was Satan, Herod, and unfaithful prophets. The fox is pretty negative in the Bible. I did find people referencing Christians being sly as a fox, but could not find the referenced verse.
I don’t think I’m asking about every move we make. It’s a question about the backdrop or world view by which we abide. I’m not sure there is actually a simple answer to how we should view success and the path to it. Our American culture is another backdrop we can’t escape.
At the same time, I agree with everything you are saying!
Leon. It’s funny that you wrote that. I was sitting in church right after I wrote this post and came up with almost the exact same reframing of the acronym!
In the end, maybe we are to pursue the good things in life by not going outside the ways of God. That’s why it’s not an either/or question.
My friend over at guymameddave wrote some thoughts on the topic: http://www.guynameddave.com/2009/10/pie-in-the-sky.html
4.
shrinkingthecamel | November 2, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Michele – I looked up the verse – the one I was referring to is in Luke: “I send you out as sheep among wolves. Be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Guess I didn’t do to well in bible memory class)
I loved this post so much that I am highlighting it tomorrow at High Calling Blogs. Catch it there if you can, and be sure to join in the discussion!!
5.
Michele Corbett | November 2, 2009 at 4:54 pm
You are awesome, Bradley. Thanks so much! I’ll join the discussion over at High Calling Blogs. I always feel awkward commenting on a post about my post. ( :
6. How Important is Your Image? | November 3, 2009 at 4:03 am
[...] Life on Purpose Blog has asked this same question, but from a Christian perspective. In her post, The Keys To Success: Performance, Image, Exposure, she talks about an event she attended where the speaker prompted the audience to answer the [...]
7.
L.L. Barkat | November 3, 2009 at 10:37 am
I agree with Bradley that part of working smart is networking. The 10% won’t matter much if about 0% of the world cares to use (or knows about) our services.
I’ve always liked Daniel. He wore the clothes, took on the “corporate name”, went to the parties. He had a few lines in the sand too. Darn, but then there’s Naaman… who went back and bowed his knees but not his heart to the powers-that-be.
8.
Michele Corbett | November 3, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Good examples, L.L. Thanks!
9.
Steve | November 3, 2009 at 2:25 pm
I guess the other aspect to consider is if you are in your chosen profession or not. One who is would see far more benefit to succeeding in all 3 (P.I.E.), while one who is not may simply be passing the time. Biblically, we are told to work hard as if working for the Lord, no matter what we do, but if we are simply doing a job to bring home a pay-cheque, it is only toil.