Secrets of career progression

Scanlas The 2nd

Some people are just better at climbing the corporate ladder. What do you think makes some people get promotions and not others, not including being good at the job?

I think you need to show you won't be treated like sh1t helps. For example refusing to do something where you think someone else should do it.

Red Hand

A lot of it is kissing up to people, making sure they know who you are. Being seen to be working hard, whether that means that you actually do work hard or not.

Politicians will naturally rise to top in any organisation.

Seachmall

1. Never outshine the master ...
2. Never put too much trust in friends; learn how to use enemies.
3. Conceal your intentions.
4. Always say less than necessary.
5. So much depends on reputation. Guard it with your life.
6. Court attention at all costs.
7. Get others to do the work for you, but always take the credit.
8. Make other people come to you; use bait if necessary.
9. Win through your actions, never through argument.
10. Infection: avoid the unhappy and unlucky.
11. Learn to keep people dependent on you.
12. Use selective honesty and generosity to disarm your victim.
13. When asking for help, appeal to people's self-interests, never to their mercy or gratitude.
14. Pose as a friend, work as a spy.
15. Crush your enemy totally.
16. Use absence to increase respect and honor.
17. Keep others in suspended terror: cultivate an air of unpredictability.
18. Do not build fortresses to protect yourself. Isolation is dangerous.
19. Know who you're dealing with; do not offend the wrong person.
20. Do not commit to anyone.
21. Play a sucker to catch a sucker: play dumber than your mark.
22. Use the surrender tactic: transform weakness into power.
23. Concentrate your forces.
24. Play the perfect courtier.
25. Re-create yourself.
26. Keep your hands clean.
27. Play on people's need to believe to create a cultlike following.
28. Enter action with boldness.
29. Plan all the way to the end.
30. Make your accomplishments seem effortless.
31. Control the options: get others to play with the cards you deal.
32. Play to people's fantasies.
33. Discover each man's thumbscrew.
34. Be royal in your fashion: act like a king to be treated like one.
35. Master the art of timing.
36. Disdain things you cannot have: Ignoring them is the best revenge.
37. Create compelling spectacles.
38. Think as you like but behave like others.
39. Stir up waters to catch fish.
40. Despise the free lunch.
41. Avoid stepping into a great man's shoes.
42. Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter.
43. Work on the hearts and minds of others.
44. Disarm and infuriate with the mirror effect.
45. Preach the need for change, but never reform too much at once.
46. Never appear perfect.
47. Do not go past the mark you aimed for; in victory, learn when to stop.
48. Assume formlessness.

Sleeping with the right bosses!

smcgiff

A couple of things from memory.

Height for a man, plus being in agreement with the company bosses i.e. a yes man.

Apparently

Scanlas The 2nd

Seachmall wrote: »

1. Never outshine the master ...
2. Never put too much trust in friends; learn how to use enemies.
3. Conceal your intentions.
4. Always say less than necessary.
5. So much depends on reputation. Guard it with your life.
6. Court attention at all costs.
7. Get others to do the work for you, but always take the credit.
8. Make other people come to you; use bait if necessary.
9. Win through your actions, never through argument.
10. Infection: avoid the unhappy and unlucky.
11. Learn to keep people dependent on you.
12. Use selective honesty and generosity to disarm your victim.
13. When asking for help, appeal to people's self-interests, never to their mercy or gratitude.
14. Pose as a friend, work as a spy.
15. Crush your enemy totally.
16. Use absence to increase respect and honor.
17. Keep others in suspended terror: cultivate an air of unpredictability.
18. Do not build fortresses to protect yourself. Isolation is dangerous.
19. Know who you're dealing with; do not offend the wrong person.
20. Do not commit to anyone.
21. Play a sucker to catch a sucker: play dumber than your mark.
22. Use the surrender tactic: transform weakness into power.
23. Concentrate your forces.
24. Play the perfect courtier.
25. Re-create yourself.
26. Keep your hands clean.
27. Play on people's need to believe to create a cultlike following.
28. Enter action with boldness.
29. Plan all the way to the end.
30. Make your accomplishments seem effortless.
31. Control the options: get others to play with the cards you deal.
32. Play to people's fantasies.
33. Discover each man's thumbscrew.
34. Be royal in your fashion: act like a king to be treated like one.
35. Master the art of timing.
36. Disdain things you cannot have: Ignoring them is the best revenge.
37. Create compelling spectacles.
38. Think as you like but behave like others.
39. Stir up waters to catch fish.
40. Despise the free lunch.
41. Avoid stepping into a great man's shoes.
42. Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter.
43. Work on the hearts and minds of others.
44. Disarm and infuriate with the mirror effect.
45. Preach the need for change, but never reform too much at once.
46. Never appear perfect.
47. Do not go past the mark you aimed for; in victory, learn when to stop.
48. Assume formlessness.

I reatry the 48 laws of power. Interesting stuff.

Seachmall

Scanlas The 2nd wrote: »

I read true 48 laws of power. Interesting stuff.

Aye, definitely worth the read if only for the historical examples.

biko

Kiss-Up/Kick-Down

bbam

A bit of insight into the workplace goes a long way...

All too often I see people drudging along doing what they think needs to be done... They never lift their heads and seek out the value added jobs that make them shine above their peers...

Also having little or no social morals while at work, but instead being willing to accept/implement corporate policy no matter what...

Caveman1

Being a kissass and not worrying about who you step on to get to the top

AngryBollix

Scanlas The 2nd wrote: »

Some people are just better at climbing the corporate ladder. What do you think makes some people get promotions and not others, not including being good at the job?

I think you need to show you won't be treated like sh1t helps. For example refusing to do something where you think someone else should do it.

Highlighting your ability to pass the buck surely highlights one aptitude for a career in politics as opposed to management

Milk & Honey

Keep a civil tongue in your bosses arse!

AngryBollix

Milk & Honey wrote: »

Keep a civil tongue in your bosses arse!

Not in the metaphorical sense of course but sometimes you need to go the actual arse to mouth route

Seachmall

AngryBollix wrote: »

Highlighting your ability to DELEGATE surely highlights one aptitude for a career in politics as opposed to management

FYP

Micky Dolenz

Simple.

Do above and beyond what is expected from you. Be first in , in the morning and last out in the evening. Pick your battles wisely.

smile and nod.

AngryBollix

Seachmall wrote: »

FYP

Pass the buck is closer the mark I reckon

Nodin

Deleted User wrote: »

Sleeping with the right bosses!

.....in addition, being related to the right people.

Seachmall

Nodin wrote: »

.....in addition, being related to the right people.

"It's not who you know it's how you know them and what they owe you."

beks101

Some of it depends on what country you're in.

In Ireland, being related to the company director is a good place to start.

Otherwise, make yourself indispensable by taking initiative on jobs that other people overlook, work your ass off and arrive early to everything, assuming authority on tasks you are working on and most importantly, making it known to all the right people that you are doing all of these things. CC the big guys on big projects you are stitching together and become your boss's new best friend.

Do all that and above all else, ASK. Don't be afraid to ask for a promotion if you know you've earned it. Sometimes people lie stagnant in jobs feeling cheated because they've worked their socks off and no-one asked them if they'd like to advance and make more money. Don't be intimidated by upper management, seek out the respect you deserve.

And don't be the office gossip.

Ricardo G

1. Bring the boss a nice bun and coffee every morning for brekkie, YOU PAY!
2. Compliment the boss on his/her attire every 15-20 mins
3. Ask how the boss's wife/husband is getting on at weightwatchers
4. Invite the boss round for a go off your other half, this is free !!
5. Offer to caddy for you're boss every Saturday/Sunday
6. Insist that any overtime carried out by you is done as a goodwill gesture
7. Offer to babysit the boss's children, again you do not charge
8. Tell the boss that you will look after his 4 german shepards while he travels europe during the summer months

These are just a few things i have done and i'm still packing shelves at the local shop

nlgbbbblth

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

Simple.

Do above and beyond what is expected from you. Be first in , in the morning and last out in the evening. Pick your battles wisely.

smile and nod.

In my experience people who start on time and work late get noticed.

Starting early and finishing on time doesn't seem to be as impressive.

i.e if your contracted hours are 9.00am to 5.00pm then working from 9.00am to 6.00pm impresses the bosses more than coming in at 8.00am and finishing at 5.00pm.

Standard Toaster

Business cards with subtle off-white coloring and a tasteful thickness. Oh and it must have a watermark.

PK2008

Ability, visibility, humility and adaptability

Ability: At a minimum you must be respected for being competent at your job- this doesnt mean being a 'hard worker' or even an expert it just this means that in your workplace you are the 'go to person' for the particular skill that is core to your job description

Visibility: You need to be deploying your skills on important work, its not enough to be good at your job as and when required. You must actively seek out and contribute to the important and visible projects/deals/initiatives that your company places the highest priority on.

Humility: You market yourself everyday in every interaction as someone who is willing to listen to anyone (regardless of rank) and contribute to anything regardless of whether it is your 'job description' or not.

Adaptability: Career ladders and job descriptions are a thing of the past, you need to act like you own the business, treat change as the only constant. Act as a business owner- take notice of what is happening in your industry and in other industries. Technology is rapidly changing everything, you need to be abreast of the current trends if not actually driving them yourself and using this knowledge to change your workplace.

John Doe1

At all times, have a katana sword on your person

Dyr

depending on the industry:

1)
Being decent looking is very useful, height is also an advantage.
Kiss arse copiously, undermine others while talking yourself up, but do it in a subtle manner.
Start acting like a manager around your fellow minions.
Find out what your bosses goals/opinions are and express similar ones in their presence, so more arse kissing.

2)
Ape your superiors by the following:
Dress at their level.
If you're not from the same social circle or background as your superiors then pretend that you are, Irish business is very class conscious no matter what you're told. Cultivate the same interests.
Play golf where thats a part of the culture.

Jim_Kiy

If theres a task you can do at home e.g a pc based that you dont need e.g office tools to accomplish save that task till your home and get even more work done during the day.
Never become friends with people you work with...from experience..be nice by all means but tell them **** all..work is work and keep it that way.
Use the telephone more than email.Email leaves a trail in the event things are not quite as you thought.Emails can quickly get cc'd and leave you in a tough spot if you have stated something thats not right..I honestly wish work email had never being invented.

ThOnda

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

...
Do above and beyond what is expected from you. Be first in , in the morning and last out in the evening...

Do you know anything more funny than this? Are you serious? Honestly.
What you've typed there is the best way to get worn, tired and ill. Nothing from the above would help you to progress at work.
Working longer hours only shows that you are incapable of doing your work within the assumed time-span.

TeddyTedson

ThOnda wrote: »

Do you know anything more funny than this? Are you serious? Honestly.
What you've typed there is the best way to get worn, tired and ill. Nothing from the above would help you to progress at work.
Working longer hours only shows that you are incapable of doing your work within the assumed time-span.

Billy Cullen disagrees.

Micky Dolenz

ThOnda wrote: »

Do you know anything more funny than this? Are you serious? Honestly.
What you've typed there is the best way to get worn, tired and ill. Nothing from the above would help you to progress at work.
Working longer hours only shows that you are incapable of doing your work within the assumed time-span.

It's how I got promoted and how I promote others.

Yakult

All you should do is your job and do it good. I've seen so many kiss asses taken advantage of because they will do anything hoping to progress for them only to be waiting 4 years in a dead end job for a whole lot of nothing. Yet they are worked like a dog, no life and not happy. Not saying its the case every where, but havent witnessed it being a success too often.

Tigger

Seachmall wrote: »

1. Never outshine the master ...
   snip
2. Assume formlessness.

48 laws of power
nice

Nodin

Bambi wrote: »

depending on the industry:

1)
Being decent looking is very useful, height is also an advantage.
Kiss arse copiously, undermine others while talking yourself up, but do it in a subtle manner.
Start acting like a manager around your fellow minions.
Find out what your bosses goals/opinions are and express similar ones in their presence, so more arse kissing.

2)
Ape your superiors by the following:
Dress at their level.
If you're not from the same social circle or background as your superiors then pretend that you are, Irish business is very class conscious no matter what you're told. Cultivate the same interests.
Play golf where thats a part of the culture.

The wisdom is strong in this one.

Teyla Emmagan

Don't ask me, I'm getting nowhere with my 'career'.

mikemac1

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

Be first in , in the morning and last out in the evening.

Some people struggle a bit and need extra time

If you're taking ten hours to do what everyone else completes in eight well the boss doesn't think you are great for working longer, they think you are struggling and inefficent

So get the work done and out the door in the evenings, don't hang around

Blinky D

Domo230 wrote: »

Maybe they were just the better person for the job?

LIEEEESSSSSS, they are just :p:D

Seachmall

Domo230 wrote: »

Someones read the 48 laws of power.

I'm embarrased to say I listened to the eBook

I do own it but fuck me it's a big book :pac:







Joking, I've read it aswell

Micky Dolenz

mikemac1 wrote: »

Some people struggle a bit and need extra time

If you're taking ten hours to do what everyone else completes in eight well the boss doesn't think you are great for working longer, they think you are struggling and inefficent

So get the work done and out the door in the evenings, don't hang around

work is always rolling. You don't get eight hours to complete a task. There is always multiple tasks , that constantly interchange, start and finish.

There is always work to be done.

fungun

Do your job properly but dont get too caught up in it, leave on time most days.
You might not get that promotion, but you will be a hell of a lot happier than the guy who does.

Defiler Of The Coffin

Give 120% all of the time and the one time you give 110% the boss will think you are slacking off. Don't be foolish about how much time you give to your job, by all means put in the extra hours and effort when a project is nearing completion date and the 'crunch' is on or when colleagues are absent and the boss is stuck (within reason) but a work life balance is important. In my workplace promotions are given to the people who first and foremost are very good at their job. That's the most important aspect but people skills, non-arrogance and perhaps even a little charisma are up there as well.

There's a lick-arse on our team who wants to be a project-manager so badly it reeks off him (not even a great aspiration in my book) but the way he annoys other people means that people who know him wouldn't want to work for him. Always be kind to people when you're on the way up. Depending on the job it might be best to lead non-erstwhile colleagues if possible.

A job where you have to kiss-up to the boss and work endless hours to get promoted isn't worth bothering with IMO, especially if you are expected to give up even more of your life. Your own happiness should come first, otherwise what's the point?

Defiler Of The Coffin

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

work is always rolling. You don't get eight hours to complete a task. There is always multiple tasks , that constantly interchange, start and finish.

There is always work to be done.

Reminds of me of my time in a supermarket, always something to be done be it cleaning or stacking or tidying or whatnot, often at the same time, throughout which you were expected to jump on a till when things got busy. Still, you have to draw a line under it at some point, it should be easy to hand over a task to someone else or there can be problems.

Ectoplasm

mikemac1 wrote: »

Some people struggle a bit and need extra time

If you're taking ten hours to do what everyone else completes in eight well the boss doesn't think you are great for working longer, they think you are struggling and inefficent

So get the work done and out the door in the evenings, don't hang around

Think it depends on the type of job. In mine, it's a little of column a, a little of column b. I judge people negatively if they are consistently staying late - for the most part, their projects can be completed in less time than they are taking. However, and this is significant, I would judge FAR more negatively someone who is a clock-watcher, always out the door on the dot and never, ever stays late.

malkmoose

this is what I usually do
1. Ask for an informal 1 to 1 meeting
2. Ask is there a career path in the job
3. What exactly do I need to do to progress to the next level
4. Write down what is required and do it
5. After a few months review the list
6. Rinse and repeat
7. Dont get too snarky if refused promotion

Keep doing this puts pressure on your manager to act. Also great to have a record of performance to show to a potential new boss when going for internal transfer.

bleg

I really like reading this:

http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2011/02/nine_things_successful_people.html

PhlegmyMoses

Being mates with your boss. Seriously. Put yourself forward for all projects in the pipeline. Others will pick up the slack while you do the extra-curriculars. Again, seriously.

Dyr

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

There is always work to be done.

And a man who works for nothing will always have some to do

aaronjumper

Knock out your boss take their face and assume their identity. Rinse and repeat any time you want to move up.

Jake187

It has to be said that, apart from kissing the right ass, you should never be too good at your job.

If funny when you think about it. It goes against everything you would naturally think to do to move up the ladder :pac: ... but its true.

mikemac1

Grab a clipboard and pen and walk quickly around the place.
Doesn't work in an office but in a warehouse or factory floor it's ideal

You're actually dossing and wasting time but everyone thinks you are flat out doing important work and nobody will challenge you

If you are carrying nothing then everyone will know you're dossing. But nobody will question the almighty clipboard

Celly Smunt

Managers tend to stay later than employees.
The thing i have always done was stay back and prepare for the next day while they were floating about and they'd be all

"wow how come you havent got home" and shít
and i'd be all like "yo,you won't get much productivity going sitting on a motorway in traffic"


works like a charm and avoids the traffic.

PandyAndy

Get noticed - Tie a live duck onto your head.

Also carry a bag of dead fish around with you to feed it.

Niall0001

Erect a shrine to Gordon Gekko. He had a phone from the future.

http://cdn.pocket-lint.com/images/mR4t/gordon-gekko-ultimate-gadget-geek-4.jpg?20110712-094800