Z-RULES for Corporate Tree Climbing Success!
By Courtney Wright
1. Know your job! Be one of the best at what you do. Study your craft and be ready to go over and beyond by participating in special projects that are not specific to your position. Example: Chair the United Way Campaign Committee for the year.
2. Don’t be a whiner! Even though they may ask…. Many times, they really don’t want to know how bad
things are. Don’t have diarrhea of the mouth on negative things. If you should have something that you
think could be done better, never take it to anyone, until you have the solution that you think will fix that particular problem. Remember: No PROBLEM without a very good and well thought out SOLUTION!
3. Know your company’s history regarding promotions. Have they promoted women in the past? This can assist you in crafting your strategy of how you will get that next promotion. The more antiquated your company’s policy is toward women in leadership, the harder you will have to work to place yourself in position to be considered.
4. Be at work a minimum of one (1) hour early every day. The big bosses are usually in early in the morning. This sends a signal that you are prompt and an early riser, seeking to do a great job for the corporation. If possible, have coffee with one of the top brass a minimum of weekly. Strategic use of your early morning time is incalculable.
5. Find two (2) mentors. The first mentor should be in your company and a person in a position that you aspire to. They should be positioned to talk to the people who would be the decision makers about any promotional opportunities you may have. Secondly, you should have a mentor in another company, who is not in your field. For women, I suggest that at least one of your mentors be a man. It is always helpful to get a male perspective on the many issues that you will face.
6. Never, ever be late for anything, at your company! In other words, BE ON TIME OR AHEAD OF TIME!
There are no excuses for this. If for some reason you find that you will be late (and you’d better have a
good excuse), call the person heading the meeting, if possible and let them know your expected arrival
time, with many apologies. This works once and after that you will be labeled a SLACKARD!
7. Dress for the next position you want. You should dress as if you already have the position you want two promotions from now. Don’t get lulled into thinking that no one is watching. They really are watching and taking mental notes about who they think you are. Your attire tells them if they can trust you to represent the company properly in a public setting.
8. Get advanced degrees. If you have a high school degree, get a 4 year, Bachelor’s Degree. If you have a Bachelor’s degree, get a Masters Degree. If you have a Master’s degree, get a Ph.D. Education is the one thing no one can ever take from you. It gives you credibility that no one can deny. One caveat- you still need the other principles listed in 1- 7 and 9 and 10 of this reading.
9. Play the game! The game is building relationships with the appropriate people in your organization. Many women discount how important this is. We tend to think that all we should have to do is work hard. While that is certainly one of our suggestions, that alone will not get you considered for promotion. You should focus on building relationships with people who can assist you in going to the next level. They will usually be above your level at your company and in position to give you advice about strategic topics and issues in your company.
10. Play golf. If your company is one of those in which the corporate leaders play golf, get yourself a set of clubs and take golf lessons. The clubs can be used at first. Just make sure they are the correct length and type (construction) before you purchase them. Many relationships are developed on the course. It is where they find out if you can play fair and be trusted. It is also where many corporate and human resource decisions are made. Be there. FORE!
11. Last but certainly not least... Know why God has placed you in your company and work out your purpose while you are there. That way, no matter what happens with your career, you will have a feeling of success. That success will come from following God’s plan for your life and blessing the lives of those with whom you come in contact.