The scoreboard doesn't lie.

You can clock in early, grind through tasks like a machine, and be the "busiest" human in the room—but if you don’t know what actually moves the needle for your boss, you’re playing yourself.

Too many folks assume they’re on the right track, only to find out way too late that they were chasing the wrong daggum priorities or metrics.

Grown ass professionals don’t leave things to chance. They ask the right questions, get the real intel, and align their work with what actually moves the needle.

Know What Game You’re Playing

If you’re not crystal clear on what defines success in your role, you’re already behind. Your boss’s goals dictate your priorities, whether they spell them out or not.

The problem?

Most leaders don’t always communicate what they truly care about. That’s on you to figure out whether you think it's fair or not.

Ask: “What goals do you discuss with your boss?” This question cuts through the noise and forces clarity.

It tells you what keeps the big dogs talking—and what trickles down to your scoreboard.

Listen for recurring themes, unexpected pressures, and the metrics that matter. If you don’t hear a clear answer, keep digging.

Find the Pressure Points

Every boss has stressors. The key is knowing what keeps them up at night—because solving those problems turns you from just another employee into a strategic partner.

Instead of the weak, watered-down “What challenges are we facing?” ask: “What's the biggest headache on your plate right now—you know, if fixed, would make everything else easier?”

This flips the conversation from surface-level chatter to real talk. It invites honesty, plants relationship, and grows credibility.

It gives you insight into their biggest fears, frustrations, and fires.

And if you can make those go away? You just made yourself pretty damn invaluable.

Toss the Hot Trash Out

Talk is cheap. Action is what counts. If you want to prove your worth, focus on what actually moves you closer to the objective.

Ask: “Would [Insert Action] make the needle move in 45 days?” This forces focus.

If their answer is vague, push further: “What’s the one thing we could do right now to make that happen?”

If they don’t have an answer, step up and show your value—lay out smart options and steer the conversation. Be Yoda to their Skywalker, but ditch the cryptic riddles.

Most people don’t know exactly what they need—but a strong player helps define it for them.

Bottom Line

Success isn’t about working the hardest—it’s about working on the right things. If you’re not aligned with what actually matters, you’re wasting time.

The scoreboard doesn’t lie. Get the real intel, cut through the hot trash, and start playing to win.