Mastering the Game

Work hard, stay visible, and pass the ladder back down – mastering the game isn't just about winning for yourself, it's about helping others see the rules.

1. The Power of Intentionality

Success doesn’t happen by accident; it requires a deliberate and focused approach. Intentionality means clearly defining what success looks like for you personally, instead of relying on conventional definitions or external validations. For instance, author Sharon E. Jones realized through trial and error that true success wasn’t a title on her résumé, but happiness in her daily work.

By knowing what you’re aiming for, you can set meaningful goals. The SMART goal-setting method (specific, meaningful, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) offers a tried-and-true framework. Creating actionable steps helps bridge the gap between today and your long-term aspirations.

Writing down goals and sharing them with an accountability partner strengthens discipline and focus. However, it’s important to leave room for flexibility. Success isn’t static—it evolves as your priorities and life circumstances change.

Examples

• Jones rejected a dream job offer when she realized the role didn’t align with her real definition of success.
• Harvard researchers found that content minds are 31% more productive, reinforcing the value of short-term happiness in long-term planning.
• SMART guidelines have helped professionals for decades by making goals tangible and achievable.

2. The Offense Over Defense Mindset

Moving forward requires focusing less on the challenges you can’t change and more on strategies to tackle them head-on. Stereotypes and biases will exist, but allowing them to hinder you only slows progress. Instead, approach professional challenges proactively with confidence and resolve.

Risk-taking is a cornerstone of progress. For many women and people of color conditioned to avoid assertiveness, a key tactic can be channeling the confidence traditionally associated with white male privilege, such as during salary negotiations or seeking promotions.

Feedback is another vital component. By asking follow-up questions and actively applying constructive criticism, you project an image of a nimble, responsive professional. Forward momentum often means knowing when to walk away from stagnating opportunities and pivoting toward new ones.

Examples

• The woman in Jones’s seminar achieved a salary increase by channeling confident body language.
• The author overcame being underrated by superiors by focusing her energy on producing results rather than grappling with discriminatory remarks.
• Professionals who network with headhunters or attend industry events retain mobility even when workplace dynamics shift.

3. Understand What Your Boss Values

Success within an organization often hinges on meeting expectations—sometimes ones that are unwritten or unspoken. Misalignments between personal goals and organizational objectives can lead to issues, as the author discovered in her tenure at the US Attorney’s Office.

Learn the metrics by which your performance will be judged. Early conversations with seasoned colleagues and careful analysis of performance review structures help uncover an employer’s actual priorities. By aligning your work output with what matters most to decision-makers, you develop a reputation for reliability.

Exceeding expectations consistently fights bias, as measurable results speak for themselves. Small steps like rereading work and clarifying assignments can mitigate errors that confirm stereotypes.

Examples

• Jones improved her standing by focusing on docket clearance rates—a top priority for the US Attorney’s Office.
• One-on-one chats with senior colleagues illuminated the qualities of the firm’s most respected employees.
• Employees who spot-check their work and deliver results on time build trust and credibility.

4. Networking Is Not Optional

Building relationships isn’t just about schmoozing—it’s about creating a web of mutual support. This support network can present opportunities, provide encouragement, and act as a safety net during tough times.

Diverse professionals can feel isolated in predominantly white male environments. Building community—both within and outside your direct workplace—combats this sense of alienation. Connecting meaningfully, even with people outside your department, has unexpected benefits in the long term.

Mentorship and sponsorship take this one step further. While a mentor provides advice, a sponsor actively champions you within the organization. This relationship requires reciprocity; as they advocate for you, you deliver high-quality results to justify and strengthen their support.

Examples

• A diverse web of contacts allowed the author to pivot roles and industries when needed.
• A sponsor helped a junior employee snag a promotion by bolstering her visibility during internal discussions.
• Periodic check-ins with peers rekindle dormant connections and maintain your long-term network.

5. Shape Your Personal Brand

How others perceive you can be as strategic as what you achieve. For minority professionals, personal branding helps bridge unspoken disparities by ensuring colleagues associate you with value, not differences.

Start by understanding the norms for appearance and demeanor in your industry. With a professional brand firmly grounded, look for ways to self-promote without seeming boastful. A SWOT analysis—strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats—can offer clarity on how to position your achievements.

Extend your personal brand beyond your company. Joining industry-relevant charities or social groups gives your name weight in external professional circles.

Examples

• The author experienced more positive perceptions at work after adapting to dress codes modeled by senior colleagues.
• Self-promotion through office conversations after winning cases established her as a reliable litigator.
• Involvement in a high-profile charity amplified her network and connected her to influential figures.

6. Protect Against Burnout

Pushing too hard risks burnout, which can derail careers and compromise health. Physical and mental recovery offer essential benefits, whether through regular breaks, practiced self-care, or offloading excessive commitments.

Plan downtime deliberately. Schedule vacations immediately after returning to the office so there’s always something to look forward to. Utilize moments throughout the day—like walks or quick chats—to recharge.

Sleep is a non-negotiable. Studies show that sleep deprivation reduces worker productivity, with long-term implications for physical health. Treat yourself like an athlete, optimizing nutrition, rest, and exercise to sustain performance.

Examples

• Jones regained her health after overworking by incorporating vacations and physical activity into her routine.
• A 1999 study linked overwork to measurable health declines, echoing the author’s experience.
• Workers who use all their leave days have better opportunities for promotion than those who don’t.

7. Overcome Bias by Overachieving

Bias exists, but exceeding expectations lets your work speak louder than stereotypes. While it’s exhausting to outdo colleagues who face less scrutiny, excelling on quantifiable metrics solidifies your position.

Never deliver work casually. Double-check assignments to catch potential oversights that might reinforce pre-existing stereotypes. By being proactive and meticulous, you put yourself in a position where others can’t diminish your contribution.

Performance tied to clear, weighted measures ensures fairness in evaluations. Keep a strong record, and others’ biases matter less.

Examples

• Clarity on quantitative metrics allowed the author to increase her rating in performance assessments.
• Persistence in over-delivery built the trust and confidence of her superiors.
• Being thorough with assignments helped combat workplace stereotypes tied to race and gender.

8. Use Influence for Collective Change

As you climb professionally, the responsibility to reach backward becomes non-negotiable. By leveraging your insights and networks, you can pave a smoother path for others navigating similar challenges.

Share knowledge generously. Teach unwritten rules to junior colleagues and bolster those deserving of new opportunities. Influence hiring decisions constructively by broadening the pool of candidates considered.

Positive advocacy doesn’t just improve the lives of others; it strengthens your network and fulfills your role as a leader.

Examples

• Jones coached applicants during interviews to help them secure roles in predominantly white institutions.
• Participation in service committees allowed her to direct corporate giving toward communities she cared about.
• Amplifying colleagues’ achievements created a culture of mutual reinforcement.

9. The Game Isn’t Just Yours to Win

Being a role model means confronting injustices when you see them. Racist remarks or sexist behavior in the workplace should never go unchallenged, particularly if you have the standing to demand accountability.

Assert yourself early, even before you have formal power. By leading with integrity, you set an example others will feel compelled to follow.

True success isn’t measured in solitary wins but in fostering environments where systemic change ensures fairness for future generations.

Examples

• The author spoke out during instances of persistent workplace bias to set a precedent.
• Partnering with HR enabled overlooked candidates to receive fair evaluations.
• Junior colleagues credited her mentorship for their breakthroughs.

Takeaways

1. Review and adjust your definition of success regularly, ensuring it aligns with your evolving life goals and personal happiness.
2. Invest in nurturing a robust network of mentors, sponsors, and peers to broaden your professional reach and opportunities.
3. Commit to advocating for and mentoring others, making workplace equity a cornerstone of your personal legacy.