Contents 1: Walk your talk Get your work noticed Never stand still Volunteer carefully Carve out a niche for yourself Under promise and over deliver Learn to ask why Be 100 per cent committed Learn from others' mistakes Enjoy what you're doing Develop the right attitude Be passionate but don't kill yourself Manage your energy Never let anyone know how hard you work Keep your home life at home 2: Know that you're being judged at all times Cultivate a smile No limp fish - develop the perfect handshake Exude confidence and energy Develop a style that gets you noticed Pay attention to personal grooming Be attractive Be cool Speak well Write well 3: Have a plan Know what you want long term Know what you want short term Study the promotion system Develop a game plan Set objectives Know your role Know yourself - strengths and weaknesses Identify key times and events Anticipate threats Look for opportunities Make learning a lifelong mission 4: If you can't say anything nice - shut up Don't gossip Don't bitch Stand up for others Compliment people sincerely Be cheerful and positive Ask questions Use 'please' and 'thank you' Don't swear Be a good listener Only speak sense 5: Look after yourself Know the ethics of your industry Know the legalities of your industry Set personal standards Never lie Never cover up for anyone else Keep records Know the difference between the truth and the whole truth Cultivate you support/contacts/friends Date with caution Understand the others' motives Assume everyone else is playing by different rules Keep the faith Put things in perspective 6: Blend in Know the corporate culture Speak the language Dress up or down accordingly Be adaptable in your dealings with different people Make your boss look good Know where to hang out, and when Understand the social protocols Know the rules about authority Know the rules about hierarchy Never disapprove of others Understand the herd mentality 7: Act one step ahead Dress one step ahead Talk one step ahead Act one step ahead Think one step ahead Address corporate issues and problems Make your company better for having you there Talk of 'we' rather than 'I' Walk the walk Spend more time with senior staff Get people to assume you have already made the step Prepare for the step after next 8: Cultivate diplomacy Ask questions in times of conflict Don't take sides Know when to keep your opinions to yourself Be conciliatory Never lose your temper Never get personal Know how to handle other people's anger Stand your ground Be objective about the situation 9: Know the system - and milk it Know all the unspoken rules of office life Know what to call everyone Know when to stay late and when to go early Know the theft or perks rule Identify the peopl who count Be on the right side of the people who count Be well up on new management techniques Know the undercurrents and hidden agendas Know the favourites and cultivate them Know the mission statement - and understand it 10: Handle the opposition Identify the opposition Study them closely Don't back-stab Know the psychology of promotion Don't give too much away Keep your ear to the ground Make the opposition seem irreplaceable Don't damn the opposition with faint praise Capitalise on the career-enhancing moments Cultivate the friendship and approval of your colleagues 11: Postscript - Know when to break the Rules