The best lesson I learned since I joined Exxon is to work smarter instead of harder. When I worked hard to prove myself, I would end up getting some pats on the back and much more work while everybody around me was getting big raises and promotions. Once I realized that and started playing politics like everybody else, my life improved. I was working less and doing much better. Exxon lost on productivity, but if that's the kind of culture you're nurturing, then you shouldn't be surprised at the results.
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Best lesson I learned is to not trust anyone, and I mean anyone. You have no friends there, so do your job and go home.
Oh yeah! That's right out of The Hatchet Man's Playbook. If management doesn't like you, it doesn't matter how good your work is. Their favorities will get promoted while you get more work so they relax.
Best lesson I learned is to not deal with anyone who one who has a lesser education than you do.
There’s a lot of those in the company that do little work but push the hard stuff onto the plates of others. They prey on the contentious. After a while there’s too many showman and not enough doers.
If you want to be employable anywhere, do your own work. You will be better off in the long run.
Best lesson I learned is that HR has a master plan including ranking and there is very little opportunity to change it. Either accept your status in the pecking order or move on. There are many smaller companies who'd love to have true talent and not just hipo shiner whiner d'bags. I start the next phase of my career June 3. Liberating and exciting. Good luck posers and cowards just hanging on.
For me, pretending to work causes more stress than it's worth. Plus, I have a guilty conscience, making it tough to live a lie like that day in and day out fake working at a fake job. Staying busy makes the day go by quicker, imo.
Hahaha 1 person posts
So true. The problem is when you’re IN a grinder role and have no choice. Project Management is the best. You rest on your laurels and let everyone else do the lifting. Show up for a few conference calls, do online shopping, and no one knows. Review a report, provide some feedback that makes people think you read it all. If management clued in to how little project managers actually did - they could easily carve off 70% of the work force.
Most importantly: get a good sponsor! Then it’s really easy street.
Yes. Learn to shine, not grind. Bigger raises for shiners. PIP for grinders.
Yep. And perception is everything
Agreed. It can be exhausting playing that game.