All successful leaders of the world will tell you that hard work, determination, commitment, knowledge are some of the key ingredients that go into the making of a stellar career. And they sure are right. All these are essentials that we must give 100% of in our sphere of influence to make it to the top. However, there are some factors outside our sphere of influence that can go against us, derailing our progress. Just the way one bad driver can cause a cohort of good drivers to cause a traffic jam, or worse, an accident. You don’t want your career stuck in that traffic jam. And you certainly don’t want your career to be an accident. You don’t want the result of your commitment, your long hours, your sincerity to meet the results of that of the “bad driver” at work.

So to preserve the sanctity of your work, you must protect your sphere of influence. Because many people can work hard and be excellent at their jobs, and still reside at the lower strata of the corporate ladder. You see, successful leaders are complete leaders. And these are some of the codes they follow at their workplaces.

– Steer clear of office politics – The he-said she-said of a workplace is perhaps the most unnecessary of all distractions in the workplace. And because of its spicy, entertaining nature, the one that is most indulged in. Office politics add no value whatsoever to your work and right from the start is only spiralling you into your eventual downfall. It can stir and disrupt the formal and friendly social setting of a workplace which is required for efficient work to take place. The ones who participate in it are often those who do not enjoy their work, because of their need to seek a better reason like this to come in everyday. Steer clear from such people. The potential social strain of this indulgence can often be the deal breaker in an otherwise perfectly well-functioning workplace that is, in fact, good for your progress. If you so seek any outlet to blow off steam or complain, do it directly with your boss, or the person concerned.

– Learn to say no – Can you please handle this huge task for me while I’m away? Can you please lie to the boss for me? Can you please put your important work aside to do me a favour? No. You cannot. Saying no in a workplace can become increasingly heavy, especially if your profiles are interwoven and you can read in the eyes of your co-worker that he’s not asking for a favour, but an obligation. And if denied, it may jeopardise your work that is connected with him. You’d argue it is unfair. Well so is life. But then treat life at an unfair advantage. Make your work shine such that there is no question of him jeopardising any aspect of your work. Nevertheless, sometimes it can be hard to say no to people. But if your daily schedule does not allow the time to do favours for somebody, then you don’t. Prioritising in work will take you a long way. Get your stuff in order first, then look how you can add value to others, within reason.

– Treat your work with objectivity – Take pride in your work, of course. But have the humility to criticise it, and see it criticised by others. Constructive criticism is like Kurt Rinck – one of the best success coaches in the world, whom I’ve mentioned quite a few times in my works. He is mean, and he is strict, but if you can have the humility to take his attitude in your stride, you will be ahead of most others before you even know it. No matter how passionate you are about your profession, it is important to maintain dispassion towards your work. Have the gall to admit ‘I was awful on that call! I could’ve done this this right. This is not a good write up at all, I can do much better than this if I could just try this this.’ And although it can be easier to hear it from yourself, it can be much harder to hear it from another. A rock must be beaten long and hard with a 10 inch nail and a hammer before it can be sculpted into art. Taking the beating is a part of the process. Don’t deny yourself that constructive criticism in the wake of a better review for a job done averagely.

On that note, there is another saying which goes “it takes two bad drivers for an accident to happen.” A genuinely good driver, no matter how, would manage to avoid the accident. 🙂

With Brand New Programs and Power Talks, I have made a decision to expand my reach the world over in a sincere attempt to ignite, to empower and to enrich the lives and the purposes of those I connect with.

24 years of getting top professionals to the Achiever’s Zone, and counting. 🙂