Look Better At Work

dennyzhang

URL: https://quantcodedenny.com/posts/look-better/

Introduction

For a successful tech lead, it usually has four steps: scope better -> do better -> look better -> connect better.

Working hard alone isn’t enough. Leaders and decision-makers are busy — if they don’t see my impact, it might as well not exist.

Looking better at work is not self-promotion. It’s about making my contributions visible, credible, and trusted. I focus on three things:

  • Business Impact – What tangible results did I achieve?
  • Complexity & Learning – What challenges did I overcome, and what did I learn?
  • Credibility – Did the right people notice my work, and did I involve or acknowledge others?

This post gives me a daily-ready framework to apply these principles with minimal thinking.

Core Principles (3-Minute Shortcut)

  • Impact First

    • I focus on results, not effort. I quantify outcomes (dollars, time, efficiency) and link them to team or company goals.
    • Template: “By doing X, I [saved $Y / improved efficiency by Z% / avoided a risk].”

  • Complexity & Learning

    • I make hidden challenges and lessons visible. I highlight new skills, methods, or tools that improve future work.
    • Template: “This was challenging because [obstacle], and I solved it by [approach]. Learned: [key insight].”

  • Credibility

    • Feedback from peers is more credible than self-promotion. I share updates, recognize others, and ensure the right people see my work.
    • Template: “Thanks to [ally/team], I achieved this result. I shared the approach with [stakeholders].”

Project Complexity Checklist

  • Challenges & Hurdles

    • I highlight major obstacles (technical, organizational, cross-team)
    • I explain how I solved them or mitigated risks

  • Learning & Innovation

    • I capture new skills, methods, frameworks, or tools
    • I show how they benefit future projects or others

  • Dependencies & Coordination

    • I note key dependencies and how I managed them

  • Secondary Impact

    • I highlight outcomes beyond immediate metrics (efficiency gains, knowledge transfer)

Daily & Weekly Runbook

  • Daily (2–5 min)

    • I pick yesterday’s work and apply the Impact → Complexity → Credibility flow.
    • I fill the templates quickly.
    • Optional: I note challenges or insights in a personal log.

  • Weekly (10–15 min)

    • I review my log and pick 1–2 visible achievements.
    • I share a structured update using templates with my manager, team, or cross-functional stakeholders.
    • I identify allies who can amplify my impact.

Common Pitfalls

  • Overdoing self-promotion damages trust.
  • Not surfacing business value makes my work look like mere execution.
  • Not surfacing complexity & learning undervalues my effort.
  • Staying invisible leads to missed recognition and opportunities.
  • Focusing on busyness instead of impact dilutes my reputation.

Conclusion

Looking better at work is not superficial — it’s telling the full story of my contributions. Daily Habit: Every day, I ask myself:

  1. What impact can I highlight?
  2. What complexity & learning did I uncover?
  3. Who do I need to involve or inform to build credibility?

By following this checklist + templates, I make my work visible, valued, and remembered without overthinking.