Play Your Cards to Your Advantage

The title phrase may sound a little selfish, but I assure you that by the end of this article, you will not feel that way; better yet, you may want to start playing your cards differently.

A couple of months ago, a friend of mine asked how he could advance in his career; it seemed that he was having a hard time in every job he had, and he could not find a company to establish himself in. He had been moving to different companies and saw that none were really seeing what he had to offer. I asked him, “What have you done in the companies you worked for before to stand out?”

After a moment of silence, he admitted that he hadn’t done much to stand out. He worked hard, but he realized he wasn’t playing his cards to his advantage. He was just following along, hoping someone would eventually notice him. I told him, “It’s not about working harder, but about working smarter and making sure your strengths are recognized. If you don’t show them what you can do, they might never see it”.

In life, we all have unique skills and experiences, our “cards.” Playing your cards to your advantage doesn't mean being manipulative; it means recognizing what you bring to the table and making the most of it. When my friend wasn’t moving forward in his career, it wasn’t because he lacked talent. It was because he hadn’t taken the time to identify what made him valuable and show it to others.

The first step in playing your cards right is understanding the strengths you already have. Everyone has something that sets them apart, whether it’s technical skills, leadership ability, creativity, or strong communication skills. The key is to reflect on your experience and figure out what makes you unique.

Next, I explained to him the importance of adapting his approach based on where he was. Just like in a game of cards, you wouldn’t play the same way every time. You need to adjust based on the situation. This applies to the workplace too. Tailoring your efforts means understanding the company’s needs and aligning your strengths to help solve their problems.

For example, if a company values innovation, show them how you’ve led creative projects or introduced new ideas in your previous roles. If they are more focused on teamwork, highlight examples where you’ve collaborated with others to achieve goals. Tailoring your strategy allows you to stand out in a way that’s meaningful to each organization.

Playing your cards to your advantage also means knowing how to communicate your value. My friend realized that even though he had been doing great work, he wasn’t making it visible to the right people. He wasn’t speaking up in meetings, he wasn’t networking with decision-makers, and he wasn’t asking for the opportunities that would allow him to grow.

I advised him to start sharing his accomplishments more confidently—without fear of seeming arrogant. It’s not bragging if you’re simply making others aware of your contributions. Whether it’s in an interview, a performance review, or a casual conversation with a colleague, you need to communicate the value you bring to the company.

Finally, I reminded him that sometimes, you have to create your own opportunities. In every company, there are moments where you can take initiative and step into a leadership role, even if it’s informal. By volunteering for projects, offering solutions to problems, and consistently delivering results, you create a track record that others can’t ignore.

My friend took this advice to heart. He started being more strategic in how he approached his work, making sure his strengths were clear to his colleagues and supervisors. Not long after, he found himself in a role where his contributions were recognized, and he’s now on a path to growth.

So, as you can see, playing your cards to your advantage isn't about being selfish, it’s about being strategic and intentional. It’s about knowing what makes you valuable and making sure that others know it too. Whether it’s in your career, relationships, or any aspect of life, playing your cards right means you’re positioning yourself for success. When you’re confident in your worth, when you tailor your approach to different situations, and when you communicate your value, you’re not only setting yourself up to win, but you’re also ensuring that those around you benefit from what you have to offer.

Now, ask yourself: Are you playing your cards to your advantage? If not, it might be time to start.

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