| Achieving career success is not an exact | | | | assertiveness - go against the culture |
| process. Nevertheless, there are common | | | | of organizations. |
| sense rules that winners follow to | | | | 4. Job Tip: The organization will never |
| achieve their career goals. | | | | be a perfect universe. |
| Here are six of those real-world career | | | | Organizations are no better or worse |
| guidelines that are critical to | | | | than the people who inhabit them. The |
| developing and executing a successful | | | | organization will do things of which you |
| career path. | | | | do not approve; it will make mistakes. |
| 1. Job Tip: Do not hire anyone you can't | | | | So, don't enter the organization with a |
| fire, unless you are under the harshest | | | | missionary zeal to purify the structure, |
| kind of pressure you can resist. | | | | its purposes and those who make it up. |
| When you hire a new employee, hopes are | | | | Focus your attention on making your best |
| high that the relationship will work out | | | | efforts to move yourself toward your |
| to everyone's benefit, even if it's a | | | | goals and those of the organization. |
| shotgun wedding. However, the wise | | | | If, after time, you find that you cannot |
| manager will take care to avoid a | | | | achieve these objectives, you have two |
| position where he can't dismiss that | | | | choices. Compromise your standards or |
| person if things don't work out. | | | | leave. That is the way it is. |
| This means resisting situations where | | | | 5. Job Tip: Don't expect your comrades |
| employment is based on any reason other | | | | to support you to the bitter end if you |
| than the needs of the company and the | | | | are in serious conflict with the |
| particular worth and "fit" of the person | | | | organization. |
| being recruited. | | | | If you and your associates are in a |
| When possible run for cover when you are | | | | knock-down-drag-out squabble with the |
| being pressured by a friend to hire his | | | | organization, be very cautious if your |
| friend. Especially try to duck the | | | | associates say, "We'll hold your coat, |
| bullet when the "do hire" message comes | | | | Charlie; you go fight 'em." Or the |
| on a personal basis from the boss. | | | | corollary to that, "If you get fired, |
| In the real world there may be no | | | | Charlie, we will leave with you." |
| escaping. If that is the case, protect | | | | That all sounds fine in the heat of the |
| yourself from the start. Have a clear | | | | moment. But if it comes to actual |
| understanding with all concerned of the | | | | conflict, most people shy away and begin |
| basis on which you are acting. Insist | | | | thinking more about job security and |
| that everyone understands that so long | | | | house payments than they do loyalty to |
| as you are held responsible for the | | | | the cause you once shared. |
| results of your department you have the | | | | 6. Job Tip: Most people are waiting for |
| absolute right to hire and fire. You | | | | something to happen. For one reason or |
| should insist on being let off the hook | | | | another, the majority of people spend |
| if that right is denied. | | | | most of their careers waiting for the |
| Be sure to document the performance of | | | | spark to light. They want someone to |
| the offspring of the shotgun wedding. | | | | come along and tell them what to do. |
| You need facts, whether he or she is a | | | | They want to wake up some morning |
| raging success or a total disaster. | | | | motivated to achieve success. |
| 2. Job Tip: The only reality in any | | | | On the other hand, a few people are |
| organization is individual perceptions | | | | impatient. They are chomping at the bit |
| of the information that is available. | | | | to shape their world. They win big or |
| Therefore, "reality" is what those in | | | | lose big in the process, but they get to |
| power say it is. Learn to live with it. | | | | choose the game and set the stakes. |
| 3. Job Tip: The very attributes that | | | | Meanwhile, those who wait for career |
| make for a successful career - | | | | success are dancing to someone else's |
| independence of thought, ambition, | | | | music. |