Contents
1: Walk your talk
Get your work noticed
Never stand still
Volunteer carefully
Carve out a niche for yourself
Under promise and over deliver
Learn to ask why
Be 100 per cent committed
Learn from others' mistakes
Enjoy what you're doing
Develop the right attitude
Be passionate but don't kill yourself
Manage your energy
Never let anyone know how hard you work
Keep your home life at home
2: Know that you're being judged at all times
Cultivate a smile
No limp fish - develop the perfect handshake
Exude confidence and energy
Develop a style that gets you noticed
Pay attention to personal grooming
Be attractive
Be cool
Speak well
Write well
3: Have a plan
Know what you want long term
Know what you want short term
Study the promotion system
Develop a game plan
Set objectives
Know your role
Know yourself - strengths and weaknesses
Identify key times and events
Anticipate threats
Look for opportunities
Make learning a lifelong mission
4: If you can't say anything nice - shut up
Don't gossip
Don't bitch
Stand up for others
Compliment people sincerely
Be cheerful and positive
Ask questions
Use 'please' and 'thank you'
Don't swear
Be a good listener
Only speak sense
5: Look after yourself
Know the ethics of your industry
Know the legalities of your industry
Set personal standards
Never lie
Never cover up for anyone else
Keep records
Know the difference between the truth and the whole truth
Cultivate you support/contacts/friends
Date with caution
Understand the others' motives
Assume everyone else is playing by different rules
Keep the faith
Put things in perspective
6: Blend in
Know the corporate culture
Speak the language
Dress up or down accordingly
Be adaptable in your dealings with different people
Make your boss look good
Know where to hang out, and when
Understand the social protocols
Know the rules about authority
Know the rules about hierarchy
Never disapprove of others
Understand the herd mentality
7: Act one step ahead
Dress one step ahead
Talk one step ahead
Act one step ahead
Think one step ahead
Address corporate issues and problems
Make your company better for having you there
Talk of 'we' rather than 'I'
Walk the walk
Spend more time with senior staff
Get people to assume you have already made the step
Prepare for the step after next
8: Cultivate diplomacy
Ask questions in times of conflict
Don't take sides
Know when to keep your opinions to yourself
Be conciliatory
Never lose your temper
Never get personal
Know how to handle other people's anger
Stand your ground
Be objective about the situation
9: Know the system - and milk it
Know all the unspoken rules of office life
Know what to call everyone
Know when to stay late and when to go early
Know the theft or perks rule
Identify the peopl who count
Be on the right side of the people who count
Be well up on new management techniques
Know the undercurrents and hidden agendas
Know the favourites and cultivate them
Know the mission statement - and understand it
10: Handle the opposition
Identify the opposition
Study them closely
Don't back-stab
Know the psychology of promotion
Don't give too much away
Keep your ear to the ground
Make the opposition seem irreplaceable
Don't damn the opposition with faint praise
Capitalise on the career-enhancing moments
Cultivate the friendship and approval of your colleagues
11: Postscript - Know when to break the Rules
