Been thinking lately about all the the lessons in business that I learned the hard way. Here are 10 things I know now that I wish I’d known ‘back when’:
- No matter how clueless your boss is; no matter how much she “doesn’t get it,” she holds your career in her hands. Everything you do on the job is for her, under her direction; Everything you are, she has allowed or paved the way for. To think otherwise is silly, immature and naiive.
- You can do nothing by yourself. Collaboration and teamwork are not just essential, they are mandatory for getting things done. Team players get rewarded; solo efforts rarely do
- No matter what you’re doing, make sure your boss knows about it. You never want her to be surprised by anything she hears or sees with regard to you or your work. What she doesn’t know may not hurt her ( or subsequently, you), but on the other hand, she also can’t promote or reward you for things she doesn’t know about.
- If you get called out on a mistake, own it, even if you don’t think you were in the wrong. Don’t make excuses – it makes you look ill prepared, whiny. Do make the extra effort to get it right the next time
- Always answer email from your boss
- Never argue with your boss. See #1
- Despite your smarts and education, there are people around you who are smarter and who know more. A LOT more. Open your ears and especially your mind to listen and learn.
- Don’t know the answer? Do the research, find it. Wrong answer: I don’t know. Right answer: I don’t know, but I’ll find out and get back to you.
- Don’t bring a problem to the boss unless you also bring at least one suggestion for solving it.
- Come early. Stay late.
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