Career coach: Can I get ahead without sucking up to the bosses?
This week’s career coach advice looks at how people averse to schmoozing their bosses or struggling with a clique at work can advance their career.
Dear Kate,
There’s a guy at work, we started at the same time and he seems to be getting all the kudos and the promotions while I’m constantly fighting to prove my worth. He bills less than me, works less than me, but he still seems to be golden boy. It’s so infuriating! I can’t and won’t suck up to the bosses; it’s just not me. How can I get back on par with him without having to be fake?
Ok, I’m afraid saying ‘I won’t suck up to people, it’s just not me” wont work. It’s biting off your nose to spite your face. I know, I’ve been there. Calling it ‘sucking up’ won’t help your mindset, and immediately brings to mind connotations of the guy in the office who laughs too loudly at the MD’s jokes. Change the ‘label’ and there are obvious and subtle ways to play the game.
It’s so true. Back in the day, I was working my absolute metaphorical nuts off, kicking huge goals with my clients, but was head down at the agency not self promoting, thinking hard work and results spoke for themselves. No they don’t. It turned out my (very funny charming but incredibly lazy) line manager was literally taking all the credit and was telling the board I needed my hand holding when they inquired how I was shaping up. I eventually resigned in utter exasperation, and only then got to talk to the CEO who said he had no idea what I had been achieving. It changed everything, and I have never ever left my career prospects in the hands of others again.
Good advice.
By the way, it’s “AVERSE”, not “adverse”.
Thanks for flagging Jill, my error not Kate’s.
Cheers,
Alex – editor, Mumbrella
Peer reviewed appraisals, means that a nutjob boss cannot lie further up the line. Job done.
Management structures work best (when it is intelligent work), structured as bottom up and supportive, end of.
Sucking up is a dumb tactical play, especially in an industry where there is a crazy turnover of bosses.
The best way up is not by being a company asset but by being a threat.
And after that, a double threat and if possible, a triple threat.
We spend too much time wasting online, moaning and complaining.
Use that time to learn.
Learn the job on your name card. Then those who you have to cooperate and collaborate with.
If you are in creative, learn the craft of media. If you are in media, read up on the craft of creatives. Learn everything there is on production, finance, planning.
Be the girl or guy in every client meeting who knows more that the self important one trick ponies.
The only thing you don’t need to learn is the art of suiting which is basically a people skill.
While one’s like ability is subjective, the total business knowledge you bring is seldom open for debate.
In every department, there’s an old school expert who can’t wait to pass on his experience and knowledge to a listening ear. Be that ear. Soak up his expertise.
Be respectful and grateful to these ‘old timers’.
Stop wasting time at the coffee corner, water cooler or smoking points, they just attract toxic people.
Keep your head down and never stop learning your craft and the craft of others.
A 50% increase in my first paycheck, followed by a 100% bump per year in my subsequent 3 years proves this works.
No kissing up required.