The "Secret" to Success in Any Job

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The best "secret" (and the hardest to know) is:
Find out what your boss wants, then do it!
The problem is finding out what he/she wants from you and your product (work). Usually, AFTER you do the work, the boss will says what he/she really wanted, or "if I would have done the work, I would have done it this way ..." Being second guessed is the normal management style of most managers.

Gerald of LA 5:37PM April 21, 2009

These tips simply will not cut it in a competitive work environment in corporate America. Karen you can do much better than this..

Kate McCormick of NC 5:52PM April 20, 2009

Good column and good comments. To the writer that has learned the employer is bad and doesn't deserve a tip, you are right, but until you find that "better restaurant" you are best served continuing to do the little extra - so you can find the better restaurant from a position of strength, or at least as much strength as possible.

A. Reader of WA 4:36PM April 16, 2009

I agree totally with your post, & have a couple additions:
1) Be nice and get along with everyone. EQ is so much more important than IQ.
2) Make sure your boss knows that you like her/him. I don't mean in a kissing up sort of way. However, it's hard not to like someone who likes you. And it's harder to fire someone you like than you don't like.
3) Don't be an idiot. Although EQ is more important than IQ, you still have to be able to do your job.

www.GenerationXpert.com of MI 11:37AM April 16, 2009

"Think of it as tipping your employer. First you hand over what’s expected of you (the “tab”). And then you throw in a little something extra (the “tip”)."
But the service (employer) is bad! I'm looking for a better resturant!

CK of FL 6:09AM April 16, 2009