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"Personality can open
doors, but only character can keep them open."
~Elmer G. Letterman
"The best job goes to
the person who can get the job done without coming
up with excuses or passing the buck." ~Napolean Hill
What About Politics?
Political astuteness is something that you may not
learn in school; however, it plays a significant
role in success in business.
"Man is by nature a
political animal." ~Aristotle
Take Control.
It's important to keep in mind that you are
responsible for your own career. Don't Expect the
Human Resources Department to plan your career. In
fact, don't expect anyone else to be concerned about
it either.
There have been times in my career when someone has
taken an interest in my promotion; however, it has
always been in their own best interests to do so.
Remember, companies are in business primarily to
make money.
Dress for Success.
There is a clear distinction between how a
President, a Senior Vice-President, a
Vice-President, and a District Manager dress. You
should dress just a cut above your current level.
Above Everything, Have
Integrity
"If you have
integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have
integrity, nothing else matters." ~Alan Simpson
You
will find that the concentration of integrity
increases the higher you go in an organization.
Remember Who You Work
For
Always Support the
Company.
It's true that where your treasure is, your heart
will be also. There will be ample opportunities on a
daily basis to bash your employer. Resist those
opportunities. Keep in mind that (1) you chose this
company, (2) they pay you, and (3) you can leave if
you want. The leaders of the company will not be
impressed by your ability to complain.
Make Your Boss and
Your Boss's Boss Look Good.
As a practical matter,
you are most likely working to take your boss's job.
Hopefully, your boss will be promoted, which will
leave a vacancy. If your boss is not going anywhere,
then the next level will have a major impact on your
next position.
Who Are the Leaders of
the Company?
Find out the background of the company executives.
What career path did they take? Chances are, they
will value those credentials above others. Take note
of great people in the company and get connected to
them. If possible, find a way to work for them. If
not, establish a network with as many of them as
possible. The best possibility is to ask one of them
to be your mentor. You will be surprised how many
people will be interested in helping in this regard.
Learn the Rules
"Whoever gossips to
you will gossip about you." ~Spanish Proverb
Watch What You Write
or Say.
Assume that anything you write or say will be read
or heard by everyone in the company. E-mail makes it
easy to respond emotionally. Before you respond to
an irritating e-mail, take a minute to calm down,
then, write the e-mail. If you have a tendency to
send harsh messages, save a draft and review it
sometime later to ensure the tone is business
appropriate.
A
corollary to this principle is Happy Hour -
don't go! There is a huge risk of saying
something you shouldn't say, getting out of control,
or just being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
You should stay out of office politics. Don't say
anything bad about anyone, ever.
Arrive Early and Leave
Late, but Not Too Late.
You want the reputation of a hard worker, but not
one that can't get their work done. This principle
also applies to taking work home. Over the
long-term, you want to have a life outside of work.
Maintaining a work/life balance will keep you
engaged in your job; therefore, more productive.
Find Out What Your
Boss Wants and Deliver.
Regardless of your
personality, relationships, or good looks, you must
be productive. For your boss, it means doing what
they want, no matter how silly it may seem to you.
For example, I had a boss that wanted to know how
many Dairy Queens between Dallas and Houston served
a particular yogurt.
Always say, "Yes!" to a request from leadership. For
your boss, there are ways to provide better
solutions without damaging the relationship.
"Always do more than
is required of you." ~General Patton
Give People Credit.
Don't take credit for yourself. This is important
for a variety of reasons. First, you need people to
help you get things done. Second, when people
recognize people who work for you, you get the
credit as well. Third, it's the right thing to do.
Conclusion
When It Comes to Your Career:
1.
You're Responsible
2. Remember Who You Work For
3. Learn the Rules
As
Bill Karnes put it,
"Eagles don't flock;
they fly alone. And eagles soar above the rest of
their world. So, too, do people who start things,
who lead groups or who otherwise set themselves
apart from the crowd."
Bubble UP! is dedicated to helping you make better
choices. We believe choices are the currency that
converts the present to the future. Since the
Information Age is filled with a blizzard of
requests for your attention, traditional time
management tools are no longer adequate. That's why
Bubble UP! creates tools that Think Like You Do!
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