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Getting Ahead Lib/E: Three Steps to Take Your Career to the Next Level
Praise for Getting Ahead
"Getting Ahead is packed with common sense advice about how to advance your career without sacrificing your integrity. Read this book and let Joel Garfinkle lead you down the right path toward personal success."
—Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager and Lead with LUV
"I recommend this book with great enthusiasm. In a world going out of control, it's a godsend to have a man who teaches us how to get greater control over our own lives. Joel Garfinkle is his name; remember it. He is one of the very best counselors I have ever met."
—Dick Bolles, author of What Color Is Your Parachute?
"In today's hyper-competitive business world, just being great at what you do will not (alas) get you to the top. Joel Garfinkle knows what will: perception, visibility, and influence. His insightful guide is a must-read for anyone looking to turbocharge his or her career."
—Anne Fisher, "Ask Annie" careers/workplace columnist, Fortune.com
"In Getting Ahead, Joel Garfinkle offers an original, memorable, and powerful approach to becoming more influential, more visible, and highly regarded. Filled with practical advice, real-life examples, and documented evidence, this book is an essential guide for anyone wishing to take charge of their careers."
—Jim Kouzes, coauthor of the award-winning and bestselling The Leadership Challenge
"An indispensable, professional advancement handbook for leaders at every level."
—Frances Hesselbein, President & CEO of Leader to Leader Institute (Formerly the Peter F. Drucker Foundation) Former CEO, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.
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First published August 4, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 18, 2023
This book is pretty good for career aspirants however the Influence part is not on par with the Perception and Visibility sections. The PVI model - true story is a good inspiring story.
Recommend for those who are having trouble in understanding their next steps towards leadership
Recommend for those who are having trouble in understanding their next steps towards leadership
April 14, 2021
The author focuses on 3 major points for career success. Here's my take on what he wrote:
Perception
- The author starts well by bringing the fact that no one can have an experience of objective reality, everyone sees the world (and therefore, work and us) through their own malleable lenses of perception. This point only is extraordinary if people realize the depth of this. Much of the later strategies on changing or understanding perception or establishing connection with others wouldn't be necessary if this was really understood.
Visibility
- Many points the author brings in this book come back to a core understanding of how we create our own reality, to self-reliance and responsibility, which then lead to natural expressions of taking initiative, being proactive, asking for feedback, taking on more projects, doing great work, living service, acknowledging others, etc. However, as he did not properly address the essence of such change, the only alternative was to inundate the reader with a million pieces of advice that says, "do these things”. People are intelligent, we are born with common sense. Understanding core principles are like teaching us how to fish, instead of making us think we need to be dependant on someone else's fish (aka, advice) all the time.
Influence
- Here are some of the characteristics of influential people, mentioned in the book: People go to you to get things done; People rely on you; Build strong alliances; People embrace your ideas; You lead; Attract star employees...The author approaches these traits as in "things we have to do or change in ourselves to become influential", but these are consequences of what happens when we do great work, live in service, have genuine deep respect and connection and take initiative (by understanding self-reliance).
The author offers good questions of self-inquiry over each of these topics, to bring awareness to the reader, which is great. But the vast amount of strategies laid out in the book indicates a lack of understanding principles.
If it was only for those points above I would give 3 stars. But I gave 1 star because most of the book shows value in being self-centered and constantly evaluating how others perceive me. For those who don't take this with a lighthearted acting experiment of playing different characters at work and noticing how that affects others' perceptions of them, many others can read this and get self-obsessed and paranoid in worry about how they are being perceived.
Examples of what the author says:
"Persuade others to make a notice of your impressiveness"
"Communicate your accomplishments so others know how valuable you are"
"Make sure to ask the person you are serving to tell your bosses about what you did"
"Make sure to have others agree with your ideas"
A lot of people are already paralyzed by worrying about what others may think of them - although there are some good points like asking for feedback and seeing how others ACTUALLY perceive us or trying to make a difference and doing a great work (which is when the self disappears) - the underlying feeling in this book of constantly considering that may actually be a dangerous concept for many. Definitely not a book for everyone.
Perception
- The author starts well by bringing the fact that no one can have an experience of objective reality, everyone sees the world (and therefore, work and us) through their own malleable lenses of perception. This point only is extraordinary if people realize the depth of this. Much of the later strategies on changing or understanding perception or establishing connection with others wouldn't be necessary if this was really understood.
Visibility
- Many points the author brings in this book come back to a core understanding of how we create our own reality, to self-reliance and responsibility, which then lead to natural expressions of taking initiative, being proactive, asking for feedback, taking on more projects, doing great work, living service, acknowledging others, etc. However, as he did not properly address the essence of such change, the only alternative was to inundate the reader with a million pieces of advice that says, "do these things”. People are intelligent, we are born with common sense. Understanding core principles are like teaching us how to fish, instead of making us think we need to be dependant on someone else's fish (aka, advice) all the time.
Influence
- Here are some of the characteristics of influential people, mentioned in the book: People go to you to get things done; People rely on you; Build strong alliances; People embrace your ideas; You lead; Attract star employees...The author approaches these traits as in "things we have to do or change in ourselves to become influential", but these are consequences of what happens when we do great work, live in service, have genuine deep respect and connection and take initiative (by understanding self-reliance).
The author offers good questions of self-inquiry over each of these topics, to bring awareness to the reader, which is great. But the vast amount of strategies laid out in the book indicates a lack of understanding principles.
If it was only for those points above I would give 3 stars. But I gave 1 star because most of the book shows value in being self-centered and constantly evaluating how others perceive me. For those who don't take this with a lighthearted acting experiment of playing different characters at work and noticing how that affects others' perceptions of them, many others can read this and get self-obsessed and paranoid in worry about how they are being perceived.
Examples of what the author says:
"Persuade others to make a notice of your impressiveness"
"Communicate your accomplishments so others know how valuable you are"
"Make sure to ask the person you are serving to tell your bosses about what you did"
"Make sure to have others agree with your ideas"
A lot of people are already paralyzed by worrying about what others may think of them - although there are some good points like asking for feedback and seeing how others ACTUALLY perceive us or trying to make a difference and doing a great work (which is when the self disappears) - the underlying feeling in this book of constantly considering that may actually be a dangerous concept for many. Definitely not a book for everyone.
November 28, 2020
This is good self help book. Author speaks about 3 important topics.
1.perception : He says, a leader is one who is able to manage perceptions. Take control of how others see you
2.Presense : Increase your visibility and standout , get notified by the people who matters most
3.Exert your influence
1.perception : He says, a leader is one who is able to manage perceptions. Take control of how others see you
2.Presense : Increase your visibility and standout , get notified by the people who matters most
3.Exert your influence
June 8, 2017
I saw the author speak last year and it resonated a lot with me. He has some very good advise on how a one can elevate their work and personal brand.
January 1, 2020
It is a great book for those who are wanting to get some tips on improving perception and visibility at work while increasing the influence.
October 6, 2013
A great concept that went just too long. Because I read this as part of The Twelve Books Club, and this was the September book choice, I have to say I read with a different agenda. My career is at a different place than many who may read this and so what I gained will certainly be different than a 30 some year old female trying to move forward in what has been a male world or a young male seeking to break out from a the shadows of a large corporate world. The PVI Model (Perception, Visibility and Influence) seems to be a sound foundation on which to move upward, and would seem a perfectly workable formula to break out and been seen and recognized. Just not in 250+ pages.
Having said that, I still enjoyed Joel Garfinkle's work. I enjoyed the many examples of how he helped countless of his clients implement the very work that he wrote about to advance. With the influence of social media sites, starting with "Perception" seemed perfect. Using Social Media, there is so much that we can do and so much we should never do to enhance and improve how others see us and therefore perceive us. Whether we like it or not, many important to our growth and advancement have an opinion of us and it is not always what we may think. Take to time to put the steps outlined in these chapters to work to help understand how others see you and effect the same. The other components of the PVI Model (V & I) begin here.
The other end of the perception stick is visibility and we may often hope that our work is seen and visible to more than a few that we immediately interact with on a day to day basis. I believe that too many of us come from the school that if we just work hard enough and do a good enough of a job that our work will speak for us and help us move up the advancement ladder. While in some career cultures it might, in many it won't and can't and here, Joel can help you stand out.
Of course if we feel that we are always lost in the shadow of those above us or around us, and have a harder time tooting our own horn, the third component, Influence, may help more than the others. I loved the story of Vince Lombardi, now an iconic part of the coaching profession. However, when he came to the Green Bay Packers in 1959 he was largely an unknown. Yet, as he staked out early his ability to influence his players and the franchise, what we see today is or course history.
A good book and I would recommend it to anyone wanting or needing to break out of the pack and stand out.
Having said that, I still enjoyed Joel Garfinkle's work. I enjoyed the many examples of how he helped countless of his clients implement the very work that he wrote about to advance. With the influence of social media sites, starting with "Perception" seemed perfect. Using Social Media, there is so much that we can do and so much we should never do to enhance and improve how others see us and therefore perceive us. Whether we like it or not, many important to our growth and advancement have an opinion of us and it is not always what we may think. Take to time to put the steps outlined in these chapters to work to help understand how others see you and effect the same. The other components of the PVI Model (V & I) begin here.
The other end of the perception stick is visibility and we may often hope that our work is seen and visible to more than a few that we immediately interact with on a day to day basis. I believe that too many of us come from the school that if we just work hard enough and do a good enough of a job that our work will speak for us and help us move up the advancement ladder. While in some career cultures it might, in many it won't and can't and here, Joel can help you stand out.
Of course if we feel that we are always lost in the shadow of those above us or around us, and have a harder time tooting our own horn, the third component, Influence, may help more than the others. I loved the story of Vince Lombardi, now an iconic part of the coaching profession. However, when he came to the Green Bay Packers in 1959 he was largely an unknown. Yet, as he staked out early his ability to influence his players and the franchise, what we see today is or course history.
A good book and I would recommend it to anyone wanting or needing to break out of the pack and stand out.
September 27, 2013
As a matter of disclosure I received this book as a core reviewer for the 12 Books Group with the expectation that I will post reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, my Blog and participate in the monthly discussion on Goodreads.
I found this book by Joel Garfinkle interesting in that it clearly lays out how one can advance their careers. This book is especially helpful if you are working in a larger organization, but it is also applicable to smaller ones.
Joel breaks the process down into three steps: Improve Perception, Increase Visibility and Exert Influence. You will find the summary and action steps at the end of each chapter helpful in implementing the content contained in the chapter. Many can be completed as an individual exercise, but some will provide greater benefit by engaging others in the exercise. In addition, the book contains notes and resources that are helpful in gaining additional insight into the material in the chapters. Warning, the process will take a concerted effort if you are the least bit introverted.
Part One of the book – Improve Your Perception – Take Control of How Others See You is broken down into three chapters. They are the Power off Perception, Seven Influencers on Perception and The Four-Step Perception Management Process. I personally found Table 3.1 – Perceptions of Types of Behavior You Might Be Exhibiting very interesting as each behavior is presented in a positive and negative light.
Part Two – Increase Your Visibility – Stand Out And Get Noticed By The People Who Matter most is covered in four chapters. Up Your Visibility; Promote Your Success; Speak Up, Speak First and Speak Often; and Raise Your Profile. This is the section of the book that I believe that those who are introverted will have the greatest challenge as it requires you to really step outside of your comfort zone. This section contains lots of suggestions for how to achieve each of the four substeps.
Part Three - Exert Your Influence – Lead Situations, People and Events is detailed in three chapters. Lead Through Influence, Be Influential Now and Become a Master Influencer. This is the section of the book where it will be helpful to have someone to discuss the action steps at the end of the chapter.
I recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a process through which they can advance their careers. It has assisted a number of people in achieving advancement.
I found this book by Joel Garfinkle interesting in that it clearly lays out how one can advance their careers. This book is especially helpful if you are working in a larger organization, but it is also applicable to smaller ones.
Joel breaks the process down into three steps: Improve Perception, Increase Visibility and Exert Influence. You will find the summary and action steps at the end of each chapter helpful in implementing the content contained in the chapter. Many can be completed as an individual exercise, but some will provide greater benefit by engaging others in the exercise. In addition, the book contains notes and resources that are helpful in gaining additional insight into the material in the chapters. Warning, the process will take a concerted effort if you are the least bit introverted.
Part One of the book – Improve Your Perception – Take Control of How Others See You is broken down into three chapters. They are the Power off Perception, Seven Influencers on Perception and The Four-Step Perception Management Process. I personally found Table 3.1 – Perceptions of Types of Behavior You Might Be Exhibiting very interesting as each behavior is presented in a positive and negative light.
Part Two – Increase Your Visibility – Stand Out And Get Noticed By The People Who Matter most is covered in four chapters. Up Your Visibility; Promote Your Success; Speak Up, Speak First and Speak Often; and Raise Your Profile. This is the section of the book that I believe that those who are introverted will have the greatest challenge as it requires you to really step outside of your comfort zone. This section contains lots of suggestions for how to achieve each of the four substeps.
Part Three - Exert Your Influence – Lead Situations, People and Events is detailed in three chapters. Lead Through Influence, Be Influential Now and Become a Master Influencer. This is the section of the book where it will be helpful to have someone to discuss the action steps at the end of the chapter.
I recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a process through which they can advance their careers. It has assisted a number of people in achieving advancement.
September 27, 2013
In September of this year our online book group read “Getting Ahead: Three Steps to Take Your Career to the Next Level” by Joel Garfinkle. Joel is one of America’s top 50 executive coaches and the author of several books. This, his latest work, is designed to act as a guide to help people move forward in their careers.
The book makes a baseline assumption that high performance is in place and that other factors are preventing one from advancing. The book focuses on three factors; perception, visibility, and influence.
Many of the members of our group correctly jumped to the conclusion that these three factors (referred to as the PVI model) are what we often think of as office politics. With that in mind, while office politics has a negative connotation, PVI has a real place in understanding how the world works. It is also a realistic view of how one can add value to an organization and oneself beyond high performance.
One of the insights from the book I enjoyed the most was a point the author made about visibility. Many people are hesitant to voice their opinion in small or large group meetings. There seem to be a lot of excuses that people make to stay quiet. The truth, as the author explains, is that if we have any respect for ourselves we should value our own insights and opinions high enough to share them with the organization.
Another great lesson I learned from the author was the importance of managing up as well as down. A good manager works more on managing those above him/her than those below. A good leader also works on creating greater influence down, across, and up the organization. The greatest way to create influence is to help and serve others. Find out what they need and what their goals are and find a way to be part of the solution.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is a high performer who struggles with getting ahead due to having too low a profile or too quiet a personality.
The book makes a baseline assumption that high performance is in place and that other factors are preventing one from advancing. The book focuses on three factors; perception, visibility, and influence.
Many of the members of our group correctly jumped to the conclusion that these three factors (referred to as the PVI model) are what we often think of as office politics. With that in mind, while office politics has a negative connotation, PVI has a real place in understanding how the world works. It is also a realistic view of how one can add value to an organization and oneself beyond high performance.
One of the insights from the book I enjoyed the most was a point the author made about visibility. Many people are hesitant to voice their opinion in small or large group meetings. There seem to be a lot of excuses that people make to stay quiet. The truth, as the author explains, is that if we have any respect for ourselves we should value our own insights and opinions high enough to share them with the organization.
Another great lesson I learned from the author was the importance of managing up as well as down. A good manager works more on managing those above him/her than those below. A good leader also works on creating greater influence down, across, and up the organization. The greatest way to create influence is to help and serve others. Find out what they need and what their goals are and find a way to be part of the solution.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is a high performer who struggles with getting ahead due to having too low a profile or too quiet a personality.
April 13, 2014
So, here's the deal: this book actually has some pretty good advice. No, seriously, I'm not just saying this because it's very similar to what I would tell others who want to advance in their careers. The tough thing is, the book is really, really boring. There are two kind of good bits, where the author tells the story of people who exemplify the practices he is recommending, but the rest of it is basically forgettable. Nonetheless, I'm giving it three stars because it does offer good advice and, well, if you can suffer through it (it's not *that* long -- try the audiobook version perhaps?), you might actually gain some useful ideas, if you want them.
November 17, 2013
Great book with advice about how to improve perception (control how others see you), increase your visibility (stand out and get noticed by the people who matter most) and exert your influence (up, down and laterally). The book included practical steps action steps and questions to ponder to help reach your goals. Good blueprint for someone starting out in their career and also an excellent refresher for someone more experienced. The book includes references to Joel's website where you can take self-assessments to measure your effectiveness.
October 28, 2020
As a career management book, I believe it is excellent, however, I believe it can be more than. You might want to consciously build your skills to help you get a new assignment or a promotion, yet along the way, the building of those skills will help you be better in your current role – leading more effectively, helping your team (and yourself) be more productive and so much more. - See more at: http://blog.kevineikenberry.com/leade...
September 18, 2013
This is one of those business books that could double as a self-help book. His idea, that you need to do more than just maximize performance, can translate into your off-work life, although his focus is life in the corporate world.
His program consists of what he calls PVI: Perception, Visibility, and Influence. Being a good or skillful worker is kind of worthless to your future if those around you don't know you exist. PVI is the blueprint to change that.
His program consists of what he calls PVI: Perception, Visibility, and Influence. Being a good or skillful worker is kind of worthless to your future if those around you don't know you exist. PVI is the blueprint to change that.
September 10, 2014
+++good. If you have a job. Even if you have own the biz or a project. This book will give to you very good vision about possibilities to act forward your desire.
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