The Rules of Work

by Templar, Richard

• ISBN13: 9780273662716
• ISBN10: 0273662716
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-09-01
• Publisher: Ft Pr

Summary

"This is a definitive code for personal business success? Key points, concisely made, that can steer anyone through the minefield of office life." Management Today Some people seem to be just great at their job. They glide effortlessly onwards and upwards through all the politics, the back stabbing, the system, the nonsense that goes on. They always seem to say and do the right thing. Everybody likes them. They get pay rises and promotion. They get on with the boss. And somehow, they do all these without breaking much of a sweat or seeming to put in excess effort. Is there something they do that we don?t? Is it a natural ability or something we could all learn? The answer is a most definite and resounding yes. They know the 'Rules of Work'. These rules are about how you are seen to be doing your job ? brilliantly and efficiently. They are about how you appear to others ? successful and confident. The Rules of Worktakes simple information about how people relate to each other in a completely artificial environment - the workplace ? and uses it to promote your rise up the ladder of success. This is the book for you if you want to get on and up without becoming ruthless or unpleasant. This is the book for you if you want to be successful and still be able to live with yourself, and be regarded as a thoroughly decent person by your colleagues and bosses.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	ix
Foreword	x
Introduction	xii
RULE 1 Walk your talk	xx
1.1 Get your work noticed	2	(2)
1.2 Never stand still	4	(2)
1.3 Volunteer carefully	6	(2)
1.4 Carve out a niche for yourself	8	(2)
1.5 Under promise and over deliver	10	(2)
1.6 Know something others don't	12	(2)
1.7 Be 100 per cent committed	14	(2)
1.8 Enjoy what you are doing	16	(2)
1.9 Develop the right attitude	18	(2)
1.10 Never let anyone know how hard you work	20	(2)
RULE 2 Know that you're being judged at all times	22	(22)
2.1 Dress well	24	(2)
2.2 Cultivate a smile	26	(2)
2.3 No limp fish - develop the perfect handshake	28	(2)
2.4 Exude confidence and energy	30	(2)
2.5 Develop a style that gets you noticed	32	(2)
2.6 Pay attention to personal grooming	34	(2)
2.7 Be attractive	36	(2)
2.8 Be cool	38	(2)
2.9 Speak well	40	(2)
2.10 Write well	42	(2)
RULE 3 Have a plan	44	(22)
3.1 Know what you want long term	46	(2)
3.2 Know what you want short term	48	(2)
3.3 Study the promotion system	50	(2)
3.4 Develop a game plan	52	(2)
3.5 Set objectives	54	(2)
3.6 Know your role	56	(2)
3.7 Know yourself - strengths and weaknesses	58	(2)
3.8 Identify key times and events	60	(2)
3.9 Anticipate threats	62	(2)
3.10 Look for opportunities	64	(2)
RULE 4 If you can't say anything nice - shut up	66	(22)
4.1 Don't gossip	68	(2)
4.2 Don't bitch	70	(2)
4.3 Stand up for others	72	(2)
4.4 Compliment people sincerely	74	(2)
4.5 Be cheerful and positive	76	(2)
4.6 Ask questions	78	(2)
4.7 Use 'please' and 'thank you'	80	(2)
4.8 Don't swear	82	(2)
4.9 Be a good listener	84	(2)
4.10 Only speak sense	86	(2)
RULE 5 Look after yourself	88	(22)
5.1 Know the ethics of your industry	90	(2)
5.2 Know the legalities of your industry	92	(2)
5.3 Set personal standards	94	(2)
5.4 Never lie	96	(2)
5.5 Never cover up for anyone else	98	(2)
5.6 Keep records	100	(2)
5.7 Know the difference between the truth and the whole truth	102	(2)
5.8 Cultivate your support/contacts/friends	104	(2)
5.9 Understand others' motives	106	(2)
5.10 Assume everyone else is playing by different rules	108	(2)
RULE 6 Blend in	110	(22)
6.1 Know the corporate culture	112	(2)
6.2 Speak the language	114	(2)
6.3 Dress up or down accordingly	116	(2)
6.4 Be adaptable in your dealings with different people	118	(2)
6.5 Know where to hang out, and when	120	(2)
6.6 Understand the social protocols	122	(2)
6.7 Know the rules about authority	124	(2)
6.8 Know the rules about the office hierarchy	126	(2)
6.9 Never disapprove of others	128	(2)
6.10 Understand the herd mentality	130	(2)
RULE 7 Act one step ahead	132	(22)
7.1 Dress one step ahead	134	(2)
7.2 Talk one step ahead	136	(2)
7.3 Act one step ahead	138	(2)
7.4 Think one step ahead	140	(2)
7.5 Address corporate issues and problems	142	(2)
7.6 Talk of 'we' rather than	144	(2)
7.7 Walk the walk	146	(2)
7.8 Spend more time with senior staff	148	(2)
7.9 Get people to assume you have already made the step	150	(2)
7.10 Prepare for the step after next	152	(2)
RULE 8 Cultivate diplomacy	154	(22)
8.1 Ask questions in times of conflict	156	(2)
8.2 Don't take sides	158	(2)
8.3 Know when to keep your opinions to yourself	160	(2)
8.4 Be conciliatory	162	(2)
8.5 Never lose your temper	164	(2)
8.6 Never get personal	166	(2)
8.7 Know how to handle other people's anger	168	(2)
8.8 Stand your ground	170	(2)
8.9 Be objective about the situation	172	(2)
8.10 Put things in perspective	174	(2)
RULE 9 Know the system- and milk it	176	(22)
9.1 Know all the unspoken rules of office life	178	(2)
9.2 Know what to call everyone	180	(2)
9.3 Know when to stay late and when to go early	182	(2)
9.4 Know the theft or perks rule	184	(2)
9.5 Identify the people who count	186	(2)
9.6 Be on the right side of the people who count	188	(2)
9.7 Be well up on new management techniques	190	(2)
9.8 Know the undercurrents and hidden agendas	192	(2)
9.9 Know the favourites and cultivate them	194	(2)
9.10 Know the mission statement - and understand it	196	(2)
RULE 10 Handle: the opposition	198
10.1 Identify the opposition	200	(2)
10.2 Study them closely	202	(2)
10.3 Don't back-stab	204	(2)
10.4 Know the psychology of promotion	206	(2)
10.5 Don't give too much away	208	(2)
10.6 Keep your ear to the ground	210	(2)
10.7 Make the opposition seem irreplaceable	212	(2)
10.8 Don't damn the opposition with faint praise	214	(2)
10.9 Capitalize on the career enhancing moments	216	(2)
10.10 Cultivate the friendship and approval of your colleagues	218