I remember a commercial in which everyone commented on how Johnson was so busy because of a steaming cup of coffee on his desk (you can see the commercial on YouTube).

A manager once told me if I wanted to show my value as a manager, I needed to be the first in the office and the last to leave.

A steaming cup of coffee on the desk doesn’t mean they’re off doing something valuable. Spending long hours in the office doesn’t mean I’m contributing more than others. Be careful how you measure someone’s value or worth, as you might get what you’re measuring.

Consider what makes someone’s contributions valuable. Don’t measure them by those things directly. Instead, consider the outcomes that would tell you they’re bringing their best selves to work. (e.g. Innovative solutions might be a sign of creativity.)

You’ve got this.