The long-standing career advice to “do great work and let the results speak for themselves” is increasingly being questioned by organizational experts. In their recent book, *Work Signals*, Ruchin Kansal and Anthony Caput argue that career progression depends not only on the quality of work but also on how well that work is recognized and the options available to the employee.

Kansal and Caput propose a formula for career success, stating that it is shaped by the multiplication of three factors: value created, value recognized, and options. According to their perspective, even exceptional contributions can go unnoticed if the employee does not actively make their work visible within the organization. Without recognition, the authors warn, talented workers risk being overlooked for promotions or receiving inadequate compensation.

This viewpoint challenges the conventional wisdom that excellent performance alone naturally leads to advancement. Instead, it highlights the importance of communication, self-promotion, and building networks to ensure that an individual’s contributions are both acknowledged and rewarded.

By emphasizing the interplay between output and perception, Kansal and Caput encourage professionals to think strategically about how their efforts are perceived by managers, colleagues, and decision-makers. Their research suggests that cultivating visibility is a necessary component of career development in today’s workplace landscape.