A recent article on the BBC website offers an interesting statistic, though of course without citing an authority. It says that in the modern-day work setting, an employee’s actual job performance accounts for only about 10% of his or her likelihood to advance.
Think about that: You might be the very best at what you do, but it won’t matter much. So what does matter?
Exposure, according to the article. In fact, it suggests that simple exposure in the workplace might contribute as much as 60% to one’s advancement, with the remaining 30% attributed to image.
60% exposure, 30% image, 10% ability.
Does that sound right to you? And what does it bode for the future of business if self-promotion counts for more than success, and image matters more than achievement? I’d love to be wrong, but I’m not hopeful.