The best wisdom nuggets I’ve been given since I started on the corp ladder in 1997:
- Always put a few hours or even a day between drafting and checking; if not, you’ll tend to see what you want to see. Same thing if you’re pissed.
- When everyone’s gossiping and stabbing each other, unexpected kindness can change the game (at least for you)
- Give credit to your superiors, but only if due. Don’t be an asshole but don’t kiss ass either.
- Never mistake someone attacking another person in private with this same someone being willing to defend you in public (against that person)
- Find out quickly which rules, if broken, will meet with consequences. And which are just on the list because some executive put them there.
- The most “casual” and “friendly” managers, the ones always talking about “consensus, listening and mutual respect”, can often be the most vicious folks around. Friendly waters may hide a monster.
- 90% of corp people operate based on fear. They are full of fear and they exploit fear. Remove this factor and reality transforms, too.
