# The Corporate Climb: Why Talent Alone Isn't Enough
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Chapter 1: The Illusion of Meritocracy
Does this scenario ring a bell?
You attend university, achieve strong grades, secure a job, and then put in your best effort. You demonstrate your skills, tackle challenges, and showcase your talents. The belief is that if you can alleviate your boss's concerns, promotions will naturally follow.
This narrative is perpetuated by parents, educators, and various online platforms, leading us to think that our society truly values merit, especially in the business realm. If only this were the case.
From my experience in large organizations—whether in the military, government, or corporate settings—competence and skill play only a minor role in promotions. In fact, possessing too much intelligence or capability can sometimes impede your career advancement.
If you doubt this, observe any large corporation. You'll find numerous intelligent individuals languishing in lower-tier positions, often overlooked. They are the ones managing crises and attempting to execute the latest misguided directives from leadership.
The culprit behind this disconnect is the concept of "optics."
This brings us to the outdated adage: "Don't judge a book by its cover."
When examining those who ascend the ranks swiftly, they typically possess strong optics. They are not only attractive but also dress impeccably. Research consistently shows that physically appealing individuals—especially taller ones—experience greater success across various life domains.
However, it’s not solely about their personal appearance; it extends to the environment in which they work.
I have witnessed promotions and accolades awarded to individuals who haven't completed their projects or who merely polished off someone else's efforts. The bewilderment on the faces of their peers indicates that many share the same confusion regarding these occurrences.
In these situations, your level of competence becomes irrelevant. If you belong to a team that generates significant revenue or work on a high-profile project, your performance—whether stellar or lacking—will likely be rewarded. This is because you capture the attention of higher-ups and benefit from the halo effect associated with being involved in critical business segments.
Thus, intelligence and hard work might not carry the weight you believe they should. You may be excelling in your tasks, impressing your colleagues, but if the spotlight is not on you, your contributions will likely go unnoticed.
The Influencers of the Corporate World
Those who excel in optics seem to have an innate understanding of this dynamic. They ensure they remain visible to influential figures at all times. Their social media accounts are filled with selfies from company events, congratulating colleagues on promotions they barely know. They seize every opportunity to engage with higher-ups, whether it's within the scope of their job or not.
Here's the surprising twist: these individuals will never allow themselves to appear incompetent. They deflect blame when things go awry and often avoid situations that could cast them in a negative light. Instead, they tend to take on roles that maintain their favorable optics. When success is in the air, they ensure they are at the center of it.
It almost seems instinctive.
At this juncture, you might want to shift your perspective. Instead of asking, "Why do less capable individuals keep surpassing me?" consider, "Why did I assume they wouldn't?"
If you consistently attend key events, collaborate on high-profile projects, maintain a pleasant demeanor, and find yourself in favorable circumstances, you are essentially surrounded by a halo effect. You're akin to the Instagram influencer everyone desires to befriend, despite the questionable products they promote.
Stop Struggling to Prove Your Worth
Your desire to believe that your skills and talent will lead to advancement often leads to frustration when you see those with strong optics leapfrogging ahead. You might think that maintaining a low profile and continuing to produce results will eventually yield the recognition you deserve.
Unfortunately, this is misguided.
You have been playing the wrong game all along. While your skills might suggest you belong in the major leagues, you are stuck in the minors because the fanbase favors those with appealing optics.
I won't pretend to offer a quick fix to gain recognition for your exceptional work. You face a choice: you can continue on the current path, fully aware of the game at play, or you can make a smarter move.
Seek a Different Playing Field
If you are unwilling to change your approach or identity, it’s time to find a different arena—one that values your skills over optics.
Believe it or not, this is attainable. If you are hardworking and intelligent, traditional large organizations may not be your best fit, especially if you didn’t start your career climb in your early twenties. Those adept in optics thrive in these environments because, ultimately, work gets done—often by diligent individuals like you. Consequently, minor mistakes are easily overlooked and can be attributed to someone lacking strong optics.
This is why driven individuals often feel dissatisfied in large corporations; their efforts become lost in the shuffle, overshadowed by those deemed more attractive.
If you find yourself in this situation, consider a startup, a smaller business, or an independent unit within a larger organization. In smaller settings, the optics-conscious often struggle, as there is little room to hide and no easy scapegoats.
Mistakes and failures become amplified because you cannot simply pass the blame to someone else or claim it falls under another department's purview. You will be held accountable swiftly, as everyone around you is likely to demand accountability.
Remember, You Have Options
The reality is what it is, and simply working harder won't change it. This is why Cal Newport's concept of "So Good They Can't Ignore You" is somewhat misleading. They can and will overlook you if you don’t fit their mold.
History is rife with examples of talented individuals who were overlooked—think of figures like Michael Burry, who was depicted by Christian Bale in "The Big Short." Even when proven correct and generating significant profits, their recognition was minimal.
As I've reiterated in various articles, individuals tend to promote those they like and who resemble themselves. Talent, skill, and work ethic alone won't secure you a promotion. If you don't belong to the favored group, no amount of performance will compensate.
It's time to reevaluate your situation. If you’ve been struggling for years to ascend the ladder without success, take my advice seriously. This isn't merely about persistence. Begin seeking environments and communities that value your contributions, as wasted years in unappreciative settings can lead to bitterness and unfulfilled potential.
In the first video, "WHY CLIMBING THE CORPORATE LADDER IS A JOKE!", the speaker explores the misconceptions surrounding career advancement and challenges the traditional views on hard work versus optics.
The second video, "Do NOT Climb The Corporate Ladder! - Ex-HSBC Banker Tells the TRUTH on Office Politics!", reveals the realities of office politics and the importance of navigating the corporate landscape wisely.