The Long Game of Success: Reliability Over Flashiness in Niche Roles

I’ve been talking a lot recently about the seductive lure of the “big splash” method: Success, it’s argued, comes from getting noticed – and, thereby, rewarded – by upper management. Those of us who work in support services like security awareness and training; health and safety; facilities; logistics; and the like tend to have very few opportunities to “wow” the Top Brass compared to the money-making operators in the company. Our lack of access makes it difficult for folks like us to move up in the corporate hierarchy. Our work doesn’t directly lead to higher profits. Therefore, our contributions might not be memorable enough to warrant executive sponsorship. Bit of a problem if you’re wanting grand title and a corner office.

I argued last week that vendors prey on folks like us with promises that their product of service will create a spectacular “big splash” that will generate awe amidst the denizens of Mahogany Row. It’s a great sales hook … and it’s also complete rubbish. Those “big splash” moments are like fireworks shows: delightful in the moment and quickly forgotten afterwards. The realistic path to success and advancement, I argued, comes from maintaining a professional reputation as a solid performer who can be counted on to Get Things Done™.
I learned this lesson indirectly through athletics during my time at university. My school had a robust intramural sport program to make up for the fact that the school didn’t participate in traditional competitive sports leagues like the NCAA. Many fraternities, sororities, social groups, and like-minded enthusiasts on campus formed teams to compete with one another in a wide range of games and sports. This was all for amusement, not for cash, scholarships, or a chance to “go pro” after graduation. 

As such, only the obsessively competitive types took the IM games seriously. In most years, that meant that the team comprised solely of former high school baseball stars would reliably clobber every other IM baseball team. The former high school rugby pros would trounce all other IM teams in rugby, etc. Even though the games were played solely for fun, the outcomes were never in doubt. Only the fringe sports like fencing or frisbee golf were truly competitive. That said, the purpose of the IM program was to be an amusing diversion and an opportunity to be social, so most participants didn’t care who won.