An Effective Career Growth Strategy

I have had the chance to explore numerous books on personal development. One framework has consistently stood out, despite being written close to 30 years ago. It has significantly shaped my own career trajectory and constantly comes up when mentoring others—the PIE model (Performance-Image-Exposure), detailed in Harvey Coleman's "Empowering Yourself: The Organizational Game Revealed." I am sharing the details below and as usual, an action plan for you all to give it a try.

The PIE Model states that while exceptional Performance is undeniably the bedrock for career progression, it accounts for only 10% of the factors driving success. Image and Exposure, on the other hand, contribute 30% and 60%, respectively. Image revolves around perception and personal branding, emphasizing effective communication, behavioral awareness, and the development of a robust personal brand beyond mere competence. This underlines the role of confidence, interpersonal soft skills, and overall demeanor in shaping one's professional image. Exposure, highlights the strategic visibility one must cultivate in the workplace - actively seeking opportunities, networking, engaging in high-profile projects, and strategically positioning oneself within the organizational structure.

Sponsors and Culture Fit. Coleman introduces these two additional concepts that complement the PIE model. Sponsorship, involves influential figures advocating for your career advancement, going beyond traditional mentorship by leveraging credibility and connections. Aligning with organizational culture, a concept often overlooked, is emphasized as crucial for success, involving an understanding of unwritten rules, social norms, and unspoken expectations within a company.

Three Steps to leverage the PIE model for career growth

Step 1: Develop a strategy and set goals

• Performance: Clearly define your performance goals, align projects with higher-level organizational objectives, and establish verbal alignment with your manager on expectations.

• Image: Focus on effective communication, relationship-building, and aligning with your organizational level's communication expectations. Even pay attention to how you dress, although I highly oppose this one; it is a common unconscious bias. Set goals such as attending a communication training.

• Exposure: Actively seek opportunities, question if you are involved in high-visibility projects, strategically network, identify potential sponsors, and share regular updates showcasing your achievements. Set goals such as number of people you meet in a month or officially getting one sponsor.

Step 2: Self-Assessment and Feedback

• Performance: Seek feedback from your manager and main stakeholders.

• Image: Request feedback on how others perceive you in comparison to company's values, and what are top three adjectives that best describe you (You can choose 10 out of these 50)

• Exposure: Evaluate how many leaders in your organization are aware of and acknowledge your contributions.

Step 3: Close Gaps and Track Progress: Address gaps identified in Step 2, incorporating a progress tracker in your  Weekly Reviews, and setting Quarterly Review milestones.

Pro Tip: Share your goals with others to create a positive image, gain exposure, and receive feedback for performance improvement.

Implementing these steps ensures a holistic approach to career growth, addressing not only performance goals but also image and exposure objectives. Remember, you can't spell "improvement" without P-I-E.

Have your pie and eat it too,

Jorge Luis Pando

“You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else.” - Albert Einstein