Career Patterns
The Status Game You're Losing Without Knowing
Status moves between rooms. If you've stopped tracking which room you're in, you're already losing.
Every profession has a status hierarchy. Each year, the markers move — what got you respect in 2018 isn't what gets it now. Most professionals never sit down and ask: what status moves are paying out in this room, this year?
You can compete in any game. You can't compete in three games at once.
“Pick the room. Then pick the moves that pay out in that room.”
Common status traps
Where smart people leak status without knowing
Optimizing for the room you left
The behaviors that earned status at your last job often cost it at your new one.
Using a credential as a personality
Credentials decay. The story you tell about them shouldn't.
Spending status capital on the wrong audience
Speaking to people who can't promote, hire, or refer you.
Old status doesn't transfer. New status compounds.
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