> [...] demonstrate their value by solving the hardest assigned problems. That can absolutely lead to promotion. But the projects that have made the biggest impression in my career were the ones where I found and solved an important problem my leaders did not yet realize existed.
This is framed in big-corporate worker motivation terms: being valued by the company, getting promotions, boosting career.
Is it generally possible to operate in big-corporate environments focused only actual success of the company and customers, and have all your needs (money, status, security, etc.) taken care of, without needing to think about them?
Or is playing to big-corporate reward mechanisms -- such as hitting known metrics, getting on high-profile projects, doing role performances, and getting credit with the right people -- the closest that you'll get to alignment and contributing positively?