- How you handle making a mistake is more important than the actual mistake. Admit it, come up with a way to fix it, and then move on.
- If you think something is broken, propose a solution instead of complaining about it. Squeaky wheels may get the grease, but it's the new idea that is really rewarded over the long haul.
- No one is perfect...not even your boss. Not even you and especially not your managers. Remember, they're real people, too.
- Really good bosses are few and far between. Cherish them, learn from them, and emulate them!
- The vast majority of your bosses really do want to help you. Maintain relationships wherever possible, because it's a funny thing how your bosses tend to get smarter the older you get.
- You can actually learn a lot from a bad manager. Identify attributes that aren't successful so you can learn from others' mistakes.
- Build a reciprocal network of mentors in your career. Look for different voices for advice and guidance, and look for opportunities to become a mentor and coach others.
- Don't believe everything you hear about your manager/job/company. Make up your own mind based on your own experiences instead of allowing other people's experiences to color your own.
- You cannot be replaced in two weeks. Unless you're a factory worker or you work at a Wendy's, try to give more than two weeks' notice.
Laura Grimmer is the CEO of Articulate Communications, Inc., a technology and business-to-business public relations firm. For additional information about the firm or the networking organizations mentioned in this article, please contact her at lgrimmer@articulatepr.com or at 212-255-0080, ext. 10.
