You don’t have a work ethic problem. You have an optics problem.
You’re delivering.
Meeting deadlines.
Finishing early, even.
But somehow, the feedback isn’t: “You’re ready for the next level.”
It’s: “You don’t seem that engaged.”
That disconnect is frustrating, because in your head, the work speaks for itself.
In corporate environments, it doesn’t.
In this episode, I share the wake-up call I got during my placement year at IBM, when my manager told me I “didn’t seem like I wanted to be there”, despite completing everything on time.
That moment taught me a brutal truth:
Output builds competence.
Optics build trust.
And trust is what gets you promoted.
This episode breaks down the hidden signals your manager is reading every day and introduces the Conduct Audit that can recalibrate how you’re perceived at work.
Because like it or not, perception compounds.
HERE ARE THE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE:
1️⃣ Presence communicates commitment – Slouching, disappearing, or rushing work back might feel efficient to you, but to a manager it can signal disinterest or risk.
2️⃣ Proximity signals aspiration – Who you sit with and align yourself to tells the business who you believe you are becoming.
3️⃣ Speed without calibration creates doubt – Finishing fast isn’t impressive if it feels careless. Taking a moment to review builds trust and authority.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
- N/A – you can grab my free cheat sheet to get promoted here
- Join the newsletter below!
MORE FROM ME
Follow me on Instagram at @successsubtext and LinkedIn Jag Dhaliwal ACA
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