Be Nice To Others On Your Way Up, So They're Nice To You On Your Way Down

If you think your career will follow some predetermined path leading to ever-increasing stature, responsibility, and reward - think again. The path is rarely straight. Far from it. It is more like a maze - filled with blind corners, false shortcuts, and dead ends. You may spend many years stepping from one stone to the next, achieving influence and rewards as you go, only to find that at some point your chosen path has run out of stones. Or maybe the jump to the next stone is simply too far for you... Or maybe someone moved the stones... Or maybe someone keeps putting more stones between you and the stone you want to reach... Or maybe you just don't want to step to that next stone.

At every point along the way your ability to reach that next stone will likely be dependent on others. Everyone needs support on their journey up the ladder. That support comes from a wide range of people - administrative assistants, peers (i.e. your competition), the guard at the front door, vendors, your boss... they all can help you along the way. They can also trip you and generally make your life miserable if they so choose. To a large degree, you are largely responsible for how others treat you.

Your career WILL ebb and flow. You need a posse. A loyal following that enjoys being around you. That WANTS to help you. This is not free. Nor can it be forced. Over the last ten years, five positions, and three employers I have had the pleasure of working with the same four people as leaders on my team. They are very loyal. I trust them and reward them for their loyalty.

You must invest in your posse. Most people don't want to be anonymous. A little attention goes a long way - listen to their stories, laugh at their jokes, relish in their success, and help them when they need a hand. When (not if) you are forced to take a step back in your career, your posse will return the favor.

It has been my experience that if you treat people with respect, make them smile and laugh, and reward them (see post #1), they will likely provide a bridge (or at least a handrail) when that next stone seems too far, is too slippery, or may be behind you. Complements are free. Little things matter.

The best investment I ever made in my career was to bring donuts to the office on Friday - EVERYONE likes me at least one day out of five...