Knowing the Unspoken Rules of the Game When it Comes to Business
By Carol Gee
Do you sometimes feel out of the loop on your job? Are you missing out on challenging assignments? Are you being passed over when it comes to promotions? You possess both the required academic credentials as well as the prerequisite experience for your position. You work hard, and your performance evaluations consistently validate this. So what’s going on?
Granted, most employees are familiar with their company’s rules and regulations that govern their job performance. But are they familiar with the ‘unspoken’ rules of their company? Most companies have them, thus it is important to understand these equally important rules.
Where do you find these rules? You won’t find them on your company’s website. Nor will you learn them at your orientation. And you most certainly won’t find them in your organization’s policies and procedures manual. Simply recognizing that these rules exist will not guarantee you that plum assignment that you’ve been salivating over. Nor will it snare you that coveted corner office. However, unfamiliarity with these unspoken rules can keep you a step or two behind your peers.
So how do you learn these rules? Simply stated, savvy employees learn them by observing their companies so-called ‘stars.’ For example, how do these so-called stars dress? How do they carry themselves on the job, in meetings, and in social settings? Typically ‘star’ performers are often better at self motivation. Stars often take the initiative, especially in crises. They also recognize the power of relationships. Thus, they work to build strong relationships across the organization. They will go to lunch with co-workers. They will learn to play tennis, learn to golf, or participant in other activities.
Another excellent way to learn these rules is through finding a mentor. A mentor can be someone inside the company, or even outside of your industry. Mentors are coaches and advisers, and they can show you the ropes when it comes to business know-how.
Why not volunteer for a project and do it well? You are guaranteed to get noticed. Perform over and above what your position requires. For example, come in early on some days. Or stay late to finish a project if you can.
Men, in general, tend to be familiar with the unspoken rules of business success, as most have been groomed for it since childhood. Most boys are included in male oriented rituals designed for them by other males at an early age: things like fishing, hunting, and sports. Participating in sports teaches them to be competitive and instills in them the desire to win. All of these activities are part of the non-academic prerequisite for understanding the games that are often played out in the workplace.
Toward that end, many men often approach work with the same mindset as they do sports. The games and competition that surround employees while offering little impact on a company’s financial success tend to improve the status of those who participate. Most men get this; alas, few women do.
Women often think that doing their jobs well, even to the point of doing above and beyond what is expected, is the key to breaking through the glass ceiling. Yes, a double standard does still exist for women. For example, if women act consistent with gender stereotypes, they are often considered soft. If they go against stereotype, they are often considered too tough. Through mentoring, through coaching, and through role play, women can learn to read these unspoken cultural rules.
Lastly, learn how and know when to be assertive. Those not afraid to speak up for what they want are the ones who snare the plum assignments. Be willing to take risks. Chances are those individuals considered to be successful are successful because they don’t hesitate to venture outside their comfort zone and take risks.
Malcolm S. Forbes once said, “The best vision is insight.” By learning the ‘unspoken’ rules of business, individuals can gain an edge in negotiation and gain competitive advantage. Likewise, they become more effective and efficient in their chosen careers or profession. Only through learning them can they find success or realize their destiny.
About the Author: Carol Gee, M.A. has worked in education for 26 years in positions ranging from teaching to administration. Currently she is an editor and business writer at Goizueta Business School at Emory University. She is also the author of books, The Venus Chronicles and Diary of a ‘Flygirl’ Wannabe (Life Lessons of a Cool Girl in Training,) and a contributor to the baby boomer book, Age Smart-Discovering the Fountain of Youth at Midlife and Beyond. Carol is a recipient of the Center for Women’s 2009 Unsung Heroine Award for recognition of her dedication to issues that affect women at Emory or in the larger community.
www.venuschronicles.net
venuschronicles@aol.com
Do you sometimes feel out of the loop on your job? Are you missing out on challenging assignments? Are you being passed over when it comes to promotions? You possess both the required academic credentials as well as the prerequisite experience for your position. You work hard, and your performance evaluations consistently validate this. So what’s going on?
Granted, most employees are familiar with their company’s rules and regulations that govern their job performance. But are they familiar with the ‘unspoken’ rules of their company? Most companies have them, thus it is important to understand these equally important rules.
Where do you find these rules? You won’t find them on your company’s website. Nor will you learn them at your orientation. And you most certainly won’t find them in your organization’s policies and procedures manual. Simply recognizing that these rules exist will not guarantee you that plum assignment that you’ve been salivating over. Nor will it snare you that coveted corner office. However, unfamiliarity with these unspoken rules can keep you a step or two behind your peers.
So how do you learn these rules? Simply stated, savvy employees learn them by observing their companies so-called ‘stars.’ For example, how do these so-called stars dress? How do they carry themselves on the job, in meetings, and in social settings? Typically ‘star’ performers are often better at self motivation. Stars often take the initiative, especially in crises. They also recognize the power of relationships. Thus, they work to build strong relationships across the organization. They will go to lunch with co-workers. They will learn to play tennis, learn to golf, or participant in other activities.
Another excellent way to learn these rules is through finding a mentor. A mentor can be someone inside the company, or even outside of your industry. Mentors are coaches and advisers, and they can show you the ropes when it comes to business know-how.
Why not volunteer for a project and do it well? You are guaranteed to get noticed. Perform over and above what your position requires. For example, come in early on some days. Or stay late to finish a project if you can.
Men, in general, tend to be familiar with the unspoken rules of business success, as most have been groomed for it since childhood. Most boys are included in male oriented rituals designed for them by other males at an early age: things like fishing, hunting, and sports. Participating in sports teaches them to be competitive and instills in them the desire to win. All of these activities are part of the non-academic prerequisite for understanding the games that are often played out in the workplace.
Toward that end, many men often approach work with the same mindset as they do sports. The games and competition that surround employees while offering little impact on a company’s financial success tend to improve the status of those who participate. Most men get this; alas, few women do.
Women often think that doing their jobs well, even to the point of doing above and beyond what is expected, is the key to breaking through the glass ceiling. Yes, a double standard does still exist for women. For example, if women act consistent with gender stereotypes, they are often considered soft. If they go against stereotype, they are often considered too tough. Through mentoring, through coaching, and through role play, women can learn to read these unspoken cultural rules.
Lastly, learn how and know when to be assertive. Those not afraid to speak up for what they want are the ones who snare the plum assignments. Be willing to take risks. Chances are those individuals considered to be successful are successful because they don’t hesitate to venture outside their comfort zone and take risks.
Malcolm S. Forbes once said, “The best vision is insight.” By learning the ‘unspoken’ rules of business, individuals can gain an edge in negotiation and gain competitive advantage. Likewise, they become more effective and efficient in their chosen careers or profession. Only through learning them can they find success or realize their destiny.
About the Author: Carol Gee, M.A. has worked in education for 26 years in positions ranging from teaching to administration. Currently she is an editor and business writer at Goizueta Business School at Emory University. She is also the author of books, The Venus Chronicles and Diary of a ‘Flygirl’ Wannabe (Life Lessons of a Cool Girl in Training,) and a contributor to the baby boomer book, Age Smart-Discovering the Fountain of Youth at Midlife and Beyond. Carol is a recipient of the Center for Women’s 2009 Unsung Heroine Award for recognition of her dedication to issues that affect women at Emory or in the larger community.
www.venuschronicles.net
venuschronicles@aol.com
