One could just as easily see it with a family setting (how good a mother, husband, or uncle are you), where success, for instance, as a parent could be determined by how well the children turned out or your success as a spouse depends on how successful one’s spouse turns out — self-referential
Similarly, worth could be seen in a personal setting defined by personal goals such as happiness, actualization, money, fame, power, contributing to society, or making a difference.
The point of the game, the so-called personal growth if you will, is no longer about producing the best results possible but rather in giving the best possible impression which allows a person to further his career.
I think many people who originally got into a career because they were passionate eventually reached the point where their career turned into this kind of careerism and the goal changed from doing good to playing the game.