Time to Read: 3 minutes

Article at a Glance:

• Redmond’s “don’t prove, improve” mindset means you don’t need to earn your worth by performing or projecting an image.
• Proving is about looking good, gaining recognition, and managing perception; improving is about learning, collaborating, asking questions, and creating real value.
• Not proving yourself doesn’t mean lowering standards or avoiding effort. It means redirecting energy away from image-management and toward mastery, growth, and meaningful contribution.
• Improvement happens when you focus on learning, spend more time in your Three Circles, and keep leaning in through ambiguity, mistakes, and discomfort instead of trying to appear polished.

When our friend Dewitt Jones started work at The National Geographic, his boss told him right away: “You don’t have to prove yourself. But by god, you’d better IMprove.”

“Don’t prove, IMprove” has become a common saying at Redmond, but what does it mean? Why do we think this way? Aren’t you supposed to prove yourself in a job?

Maybe in other organizations, but not here.

As Dewitt’s boss said, “I hired you for your eyes, Dewitt. No one has your eyes. You don’t have to prove yourself.”

That’s what we mean. We already believe in you, so you don’t have to waste your energy proving your value at Redmond. We hired you for your mind, your perspective, and your potential.

We hired you because we believe you have something to contribute. Striving to prove yourself, or project a certain version of yourself, can get in the way of that contribution.

Put your energy into contribution instead of proving yourself. We don’t want a polished, watered-down version of you. We want YOU.

Proving vs IMproving

What’s the difference between proving and improving?

Proving is about looking good while improving focuses on being good.

Proving often narrows attention on how we're being perceived instead of what we can learn, what the work needs, or what would actually be helpful.

Proving worries about messing up, while improving sees mistakes as a chance to learn.

Proving asks, “How do I show people that I belong here?” while improving questions, “What can I learn, strengthen, or contribute here?”

Belonging is a basic human need. We all want to feel like we matter and like we belong, and that need doesn’t have to go away. But projecting an image of yourself that isn’t really you is just fitting in, not true belonging.

Improving is the intention to grow and do great work. It means focusing on growth (even when that means making mistakes) and striving to make work better for those around you.

Signs you’re proving:

You want your name on something.

You struggle with collaboration.

You seek recognition.

You strive for a position you think looks impressive, even if it’s not actually your strength.

You pretend you know instead of asking questions.

You feel defensive when you find out you aren’t helpful somewhere.

Signs you’re improving:

You listen, explore, and collaborate.

You ask questions even if you’re worried about looking dumb.

You focus on creating value rather than comparing.

You ask, “What part do I play in the whole?”

You welcome information about where you’re actually helpful (and where you’re not).

You care more about your actual impact than how you’re perceived.

What Not Proving DOESN’T Mean

Before we swing too far to the other side of the spectrum, let’s be clear: “not proving” doesn’t mean “no effort.” It doesn’t excuse poor work. It doesn’t mean you can just do whatever you want without considering the ripple effects.

On the other hand, improving doesn’t mean you have to be good at everything or waste energy trying to improve your weaknesses. (At least, the ones that don’t get in the way.)

Now that THAT’S clear…

How Do You Improve?

Focus on Mastery, Not Performance

This study found that when we’re motivated by deeply understanding rather than just impressing others, we’re more likely to improve and develop mastery.

Instead of focusing on how you want to appear, focus on what you want to learn and skills you want to develop! This pursuit of true mastery is the key to great work.  

Explore Your Three Circles

The more time you spend in your Three Circles, the better your work (and work experience) will be. You won’t always be in that perfect sweet spot, but the more you work where you’re helpful and your strengths are, the more you’ll contribute. And the more it fills your cup, the more sustainable that impact will be.

As you explore, you’ll build momentum, and improvement will be inevitable.

Lean In

A Work in Progress

Improving is rarely easy or straightforward. So, when things get ambiguous or frustrating, keep leaning in. Trust the process and know that setbacks and winding roads are part of the deal. Mistakes are the tuition for learning. Confusion is normal.

We’ll all have moments where we’re more concerned for how we’re being perceived than how we’re learning. That’s normal and human!

You’re a work in progress. You’ll always be improving.

Lean in and trust that this is all fertilizer that will support your growth.