Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Top 10 Rules for the Workplace
10. Thou shalt not let your opinions fly. Controversial opinions are very important but best left out of the workplace.
9. Thou shalt not verbalize candid statements for anyone to hear. Nothing can short change your career like candid statements that are free to be picked up by someone in an office near you. For example, if you are venting political or religious ideas or frustrations. Or statements about your bathing habits.
Everyone will go "OOO-kaaaay", and walk away. See #10.
8. Thou shalt not say "I forgot" or can’t remember. Plain and simply we do forget things, or momentarilly not paying attention. Instead say, let me check my facts, or did I hear _______ it right? "I want to make sure I got this correctly."
(preferably while holding a notepad in your hand) I was distracted for a second.. or I missed one word in your last sentence.
7. Don’t ever say, I’m too busy. Say, "I’m going over my calendar, and want to double check…" Or "I’m sorry, I have a conflict on that date." You don’t have to explain what it is—that it is for an underwater basket weaving class. Enough said.
6. Don’t ever say, I don’t get it. Instead say, I was going over my notes and left out something…or I want to make sure I got it right. Or say please mentor me on this. see #8
5. When you have dropped the ball, or had to set something aside for a while. Say I need to "re-engage" on this project. Or admit it right out.
Sometimes you were at fault on this, and sometime you had a very legitimate reason—so don’t be afraid to say it. The statement "Life was crazy, and I needed to sort out a few things." Works once in a while, and is truly legitimate. But that can easily be overused.
Many of our activities are legitimate excuses for brain conflict, such as church—bible study (self improvement and volunteering), a long nap (fatique-over work), playing basketball, (exercise). But always remember, bad unhealthy activities, and company can never be justified.
4. Never gossip. (That’s like saying, never think a bad thought.) Or at least never gossip carelessly. Particularly be careful about what you verbalize on the job about a superior. Pay attention to flattery also. The rule if you can’t say nutt’n good, don’t say nutt’n at all, is very true. Someone suggested that with regard to gossip and flattery, that gossip is what you should say directly to a person. And flattery is what you should say to others about that person; instead of the other way around.
3. Be aware of your surroundings. Try to notice who is in the room. Enough said.
2. We all need to vent. But don’t vent on the job. Wait until you get in the car/carpool. Don’t underestimate the pressure build-up connected to our jobs. It is huge. And venting is truly necessary. It sometimes involves names, and customers, etc. But it is venting to vent the real and debilitating frustration. But venting also needs a disclaimer. "Warning, the following is a vent. Any mention of specific organizations, companies, names of managers, CEO’s Investors, presidents which are my current employers, or past are purely for venting purposes, and it not intended to maim, mangle, or harm anyone in any way…"
1. Be careful whom you confide in. They may be your executioner, or worse your boss someday.
Three personal rules for the workplace
I let my work speak for itself.
I work through proper channels.
I mind my own business.
…unless or until someone else is unscrupulously taking advantage of the rules.
9. Thou shalt not verbalize candid statements for anyone to hear. Nothing can short change your career like candid statements that are free to be picked up by someone in an office near you. For example, if you are venting political or religious ideas or frustrations. Or statements about your bathing habits.
Everyone will go "OOO-kaaaay", and walk away. See #10.
8. Thou shalt not say "I forgot" or can’t remember. Plain and simply we do forget things, or momentarilly not paying attention. Instead say, let me check my facts, or did I hear _______ it right? "I want to make sure I got this correctly."
(preferably while holding a notepad in your hand) I was distracted for a second.. or I missed one word in your last sentence.
7. Don’t ever say, I’m too busy. Say, "I’m going over my calendar, and want to double check…" Or "I’m sorry, I have a conflict on that date." You don’t have to explain what it is—that it is for an underwater basket weaving class. Enough said.
6. Don’t ever say, I don’t get it. Instead say, I was going over my notes and left out something…or I want to make sure I got it right. Or say please mentor me on this. see #8
5. When you have dropped the ball, or had to set something aside for a while. Say I need to "re-engage" on this project. Or admit it right out.
Sometimes you were at fault on this, and sometime you had a very legitimate reason—so don’t be afraid to say it. The statement "Life was crazy, and I needed to sort out a few things." Works once in a while, and is truly legitimate. But that can easily be overused.
Many of our activities are legitimate excuses for brain conflict, such as church—bible study (self improvement and volunteering), a long nap (fatique-over work), playing basketball, (exercise). But always remember, bad unhealthy activities, and company can never be justified.
4. Never gossip. (That’s like saying, never think a bad thought.) Or at least never gossip carelessly. Particularly be careful about what you verbalize on the job about a superior. Pay attention to flattery also. The rule if you can’t say nutt’n good, don’t say nutt’n at all, is very true. Someone suggested that with regard to gossip and flattery, that gossip is what you should say directly to a person. And flattery is what you should say to others about that person; instead of the other way around.
3. Be aware of your surroundings. Try to notice who is in the room. Enough said.
2. We all need to vent. But don’t vent on the job. Wait until you get in the car/carpool. Don’t underestimate the pressure build-up connected to our jobs. It is huge. And venting is truly necessary. It sometimes involves names, and customers, etc. But it is venting to vent the real and debilitating frustration. But venting also needs a disclaimer. "Warning, the following is a vent. Any mention of specific organizations, companies, names of managers, CEO’s Investors, presidents which are my current employers, or past are purely for venting purposes, and it not intended to maim, mangle, or harm anyone in any way…"
1. Be careful whom you confide in. They may be your executioner, or worse your boss someday.
Three personal rules for the workplace
I let my work speak for itself.
I work through proper channels.
I mind my own business.
…unless or until someone else is unscrupulously taking advantage of the rules.
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