It doesn't matter what job you do, what industry you work in, what career path you follow, it doesn't matter if you are self employed or a lowly minion in a vast organisation - there are ten simple rules to follow if you want to get on, get ahead and get promoted. Follow them and your rise will be swift and meteoric. You will appear stylish, smart, clever, languid, cool, collected, confident and very, very capable. The Rules apply no matter what you do.
Contents list
Rule
1: Walk your talk
1.1: Get your walk noticed
1.2: Never stand still
1.3: Volunteer carefully
1.4: Carve out a niche for yourself
1.5: Under promise and over deliver
1.6: Know something the others don't
1.7: Be 100 per cent committed
1.8: Enjoy what you are doing
1.9 Develop the right attitude
1.10: Never let anyone know how hard you work
2: Know that you're being judged at all times
2.1: Dress well
2.2: Cultivate a smile
2.3: No limp fish - develop the perfect handshake
2.4: Exude confidence and energy
2.5: Develop a style that gets you noticed
2.6: Pay attention to personal grooming
2.7: Be attractive
2.8 Be cool
2.9 Speak well
2.10: Write well
3: Have a plan
3.1: Know what you want long term
3.2: Know what you want short term
3.3: Study the promotion system
3.4: Develop a game plan
3.5: Set objectives
3.6: Know your role
3.7: Know your yourself - strengths and weaknesses
3.8: Identify key times and events
3.9: Anticipate threats
3.10: Look for opportunities
4: If you can't say anything nice - shut up
4.1: Don't gossip xx
4.2: Don't bitch
4.3: Stand up for others
4.4: Compliment people sincerely
4.5: Be cheerful and positive
4.6: Ask questions
4.7: Use 'please' and 'thank you'
4.8 Don't swear
4.9 Be a good listener
4.10 Only speak sense
5: Look after yourself
5.1: Know the ethics of your industry
5.2: Know the legalities of your industry
5.3: Set personal standards
5.4: Never lie
5.5: Never cover up for anyone else
5.6: Keep records
5.7: Know the difference between the truth and the whole truth
5.8: Cultivate your support/contacts/friends
5.9: Understand others' motives
5.10: Assume everyone else is playing by different rules
6: Blend in
6.1: Know the corporate culture
6.2: Speak the language
6.3: Dress up or down accordingly
6.4: Be adaptable in your dealings with different people
6.5: Know where to hang out, and when
6.6: Understand the social protocols
6.7: Know the rules about authority
6.8: Know the rules about the office hierarchy
6.9: Never disapprove of others
6.10 Understand the herd mentality
7: Act one step ahead
7.1: Dress one step ahead
7.2: Talk one step ahead
7.3: Act one step ahead
7.4: Think one step ahead
7.5: Address corporate issues and problems
7.6: Talk of 'we' rather than 'I'
7.7: Walk the talk
7.8: Spend more time with senior staff
7.9: Get people to assume you have already made the step
7.10: Prepare for the step after next
8: Cultivate diplomacy
8.1: Ask questions in times of conflict
8.2: Don't take sides
8.3: Know when to keep your opinions to yourself
8.4: Be conciliatory
8.5: Never lose your temper
8.6: Never get personal
8.7: Know how to handle other people's anger
8.8: Stand your ground
8.9: Be objective about the situation
8.10: Put things in perspective
9: Know the system - and milk it
9.1: Know all the unspoken rules of office life
9.2: Know what to call everyone
9.3: Know when to stay late and when to go early
9.4: Know the theft or perks rule
9.5: Identify the people who count
9.6: Be on the right side of the people who count
9.7: Be well up on new management techniques
9.8: Know the undercurrents and hidden agendas
9.9: Know the favourites and cultivate them
9.10: Know the mission statement and understand it
10: Handle the opposition
10.1: Identify the opposition
10.2: Study them closely
10.3: Don't back-stab
10.4: Know the psychology of promotion
10.5: Don't give too much away
10.6: Keep your ear to the ground
10.7: Make the opposition seem irreplaceable
10.8: Don't damn the opposition with faint praise
10.9: Capitalise on the career enhancing moments
10.10: Cultivate the friendship and approval of your colleagues