The Education You Don’t Get in School
Oh to be young again, filled with so much naive optimism and a twinge of educational arrogance. I know, I know, I am being a bit of a pessimist right now. We were all a little doe-eyed coming out of the pearly college gates and into the real world. What you find out soon enough is that your education continues in the workplace………..
Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely value a college education, but everyone coming out of that environment needs to be fully aware that the learning will continue. So as we all get nostalgic as the Fall semester approaches, I thought a short course on career lessons would be perfect.
1. Innovative thinking is a common descriptor communicated in organizations; however, they really only want you to be innovative and progressive to a certain point. Too much thinking outside of the status quo can get you the “stigma” of being too independent, which makes management a little uneasy. Be cognizant of your words and do not express ideas that are too radical. Don’t let your creative innovation end up costing you.
2. Promotions are based on performance AND popularity. I’ll put it this way, you can’t get on the prospect list without a solid performance and results, but the promotion does not always go to the most qualified individual. Popularity plays a role. You have to learn how to work the crowd while still balancing a strong performance.
3. Office politics are just a hazard of any job. Learning how to navigate these waters is an important piece of your workplace education. Pinpoint someone in your organization that seems to handle themselves well in the area of politics. Learn their style, emulate them.
4. Shelve all that university education you received for a rainy day. It will definitely have its place in your career, but they will more likely be discrete episodes. Instead, you need to use your common sense and street savvy to progress your career forward.
Get a jumpstart on your office education and you will get a jumpstart on your success!!
August 9th, 2010 at 10:46 am
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