NO NONSENSE ADVICEbooksbyv.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/No_Nonsense...Sri Lanka. Founded in 2005, High5 currently works in 9 countries, and undertakes assignments for Clients such

No nonsense advice for aspiring young leaders

NO NONSENSE ADVICE

50 simple do’s and don’ts for young executives who are serious about

progressing in their careers

Vidusha Nathavitharana

A HIGH5 PUBLICATION

PUBLISHED BY HIGH5 PUBLICATIONS

High5 is a HR Consultancy and Soft Skills Training Company based in Colombo,

Sri Lanka. Founded in 2005, High5 currently works in 9 countries, and

undertakes assignments for Clients such as the World Bank, DFCC Bank, MAS

Active, Leo Burnett Solutions, Wataniya Telecom, John Keells Holdings, EXPO

Lanka Holdings, Mobitel, CARE Sri Lanka, Phoenix Industries and other leading

organizations.

High5 Publications was born with the ethos of bringing original and practical

management thinking to light: simplifying it, demystifying it and thus,

enabling better understanding of it.

You can follow High5’s work by logging on to our blog:

http://high5consultancy.blogspot.com

FOR FREE CIRCULATION

FIRST EDITION, 2018

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © VIDUSHA NATHAVITHARANA

The right of Vidusha Nathavitharana to be identified as the writer of this work

has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and

Patents Act.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed,

or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying,

recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior

written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations

embodies in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted

by copyright law.

EDITED BY JITHENDRI GOMES

COVER DESIGN BY ROSHAN MARTIS

No nonsense advice for aspiring young leaders 3

NO NONSENSE ADVICE FOR ASPIRING YOUNG LEADERSHigh5 would like to thank the following panelists (in no

particular order) whose thoughts and reflections shared

during Panel Discussions’ was the source of inspiration for

this book:

❯ Mr. Anthony Jayaranjan: Retired as the Senior Vice

President for John Keells Holdings. A freelance

Management and HR Consultant and Trainer.

❯ Mr. Reyaz Jeffry: Formally the CEO of Amana Takaful

Life Insurance, now residing in Australia. Founding

partner of creativekiwi.com.au

❯ Ms. Melanie Kanaka: Currently the Head, Finance and

Administration of the World Bank for both Sri Lanka

and Maldives.

❯ Mr. Viran Perera: ‘Retired’ as the CEO for MAST Far

East, currently a freelance trainer, consultant, budding

photographer and hotelier.

❯ Mr. Ravichandra Nadimuttu: Currently the Regional

Director – Senior Lean Master Coach for Nike Inc.

Singapore.

No nonsense advice for aspiring young leaders4

❯ Ms. Dinali Peiris: Currently the Director of

Organizational Development for the MAS Group

Human Resources.

❯ Dr. Lawrence Perera: The founder and current

Managing Director of Micro Cars.

❯ Brigadier Rohan Jayasinghe: Retired as the Head of

HR for Union Assurance.

❯ Colonel ‘Sathis’ Abeysuriya: Currently working for the UN.

❯ Mr. Chevaan Daniels: Currently the Group Director for

Capital Maharaja Group.

❯ Mr. Shirendra Lawrence: Currently the Chief Operating

officer of MAS Holdings.

❯ Ms. Dawn Austin: founder and current Managing

Director of NIDRO Supplies.

❯ Mr. Damitha Darmasena: Currently Head of HR for

MAS Kreeda.

❯ Mr. Ifaz Bin Jameel and Mr. Ramesh De Silva: Partners

in ‘ideation’ at Fireflies (a creative ‘hot-shop’)

❯ Mr. Guy Janssen: Currently a freelance consultant

on governance and political economics for The

World Bank.

❯ Mr. Deshan Devasagayam: Former Head of HR

for South Asia Gateway Terminal, now residing in

Australia.


❯ Mr. Jagath Fernando: Former Deputy Chairman of

John Keells Holdings and currently the founder and

Managing Director of JAGRO

❯ Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne: Founder of SARVODAYA and

venerated humanitarian

NOTE: designations are accurate as of January 2018, and

may have changed subsequently


INTRODUCTIONThis simple book was inspired after sitting through the

‘leadership panel discussions’ we at High5 conduct as

part of our Leadership Development Programs. The panel

group and backgrounds all of whom have one thing in

common – they all have made their mark in their chosen

field. The program is a free flow – and after a five minute

introduction they make about their life in a nutshell, we

dive into questions and answers where young executives

seek advice and opinion. Having done over 50 of them

over the years, and having had the good fortune of having

some of the best of class present, I made a copious

amount of notes, which I thought would be beautifully

distilled into a book. So, the credit for the advice should

actually go to our panelists, whom I have mentioned by

name because I think they truly have offered great insights

I have personally benefitted from.

This is NOT a recipe for success in any form – it is

merely a compilation of what I think is sound advice for

a young man or woman embarking upon a career. It is

meant only as advice – to be taken or discarded as you see

fit. Ultimately it is YOUR life, your career and your success.

The advice listed is not endorsed by all the panelists

mentioned collectively. They are taken from them on

different discussions, and simply collated for the purpose

of sharing them with you. As such, this advice is not in


any form or manner an endorsement from all of them

collectively as the ‘path to success.’

The brevity was conscious. Each one can be made

into a chapter – but that was not the intention. It is meant

to be small doses of potent advice – to be weighed and

measured in your own minds.


TABLE OF CONTENTSDO’S 12

1. Have a Vision, have a purpose ............................................ 13

2. Plan for 10 minutes every day ............................................. 14

3. Be positive ............................................................................ 15

4. Get the job done – don’t try to win a popularity contest! 16

5. Be willing to do the ‘dirty work’. Be willing to start small. 17

6. Working ‘smart’ is a myth – Working hard is a reality........ 19

7. If you put up with crap, that’s your fault ............................. 20

8. Be a top performer – quarter on quarter ........................... 21

9. Be loyal to your boss, and your company .......................... 22

10. Choose your spouse carefully ............................................. 23

11. Choose your friends carefully .............................................. 24

12. Learn about politics – but resolve not to play it yourself .. 25

13. Live values ............................................................................. 26

14. Dress appropriately, dress well ............................................ 27

15. Be honest – always; Don’t lie. Period.................................. 28

16. Learn to say no, politely ....................................................... 29

17. Play fair – play nice ............................................................... 30

18. Be a good friend .................................................................. 31

19. Work as a team ..................................................................... 32

20. Choose your battles carefully .............................................. 33

21. Do favours ............................................................................. 34

22. If you have something to say, say it to the person’s face .. 35

23. Be prepared for meetings ................................................... 36


24. Be a perfectionist ................................................................. 37

25. Be proactive .......................................................................... 38

26. Take challenges .................................................................... 39

27. Say thank you, say please .................................................... 40

28. Stay focused.......................................................................... 41

29. Take an interest in your boss’s / client’s hobbies ............... 42

30. Actively choose mentors ...................................................... 43

31. Pat yourself on the back ...................................................... 44

32. Take the blame ..................................................................... 45

33. Pass the credit ...................................................................... 46

34. Market yourself without showing off................................... 47

35. Love your work...................................................................... 48

36. Be organized ......................................................................... 49

37. Be conscious of others’ time ............................................... 50

38. Learn from all situations ....................................................... 51

39. Keep a composite file of all your work ............................... 52

40. Understand the company culture ....................................... 53

41. Learn about the industry ...................................................... 54

42. Win the respect of your peers ............................................. 55

43. If you promise, deliver .......................................................... 56

44. Teach others all you know .................................................... 57

45. Upgrade your knowledge every week ................................ 58

46. Keep abreast with current affairs......................................... 59

47. Take your holidays ................................................................ 60

48. Be patient .............................................................................. 61

49. Pace yourself ......................................................................... 62

50. Be the best one day – but be YOUR best first ................... 63


DON’TS 64

1. Don’t fall down dead when you are 30 ............................... 65

2. Don’t suck up ........................................................................ 66

3. Don’t get drunk at office parties ......................................... 67

4. Don’t flirt ............................................................................... 68

5. Don’t give excuses ............................................................... 69

6. Don’t stink ............................................................................. 70

7. Don’t crack stupid jokes ...................................................... 71

8. Don’t make enemies ............................................................ 72

9. Don’t write stinkers ............................................................... 73

10. Don’t criticize your boss ....................................................... 74

11. Don’t criticize your company ............................................... 75

12. Don’t be a ‘smart alec’ ......................................................... 76

13. Don’t rub it in – don’t make others feel small .................... 77

14. Don’t make a habit of working late ..................................... 78

15. Don’t expect HR to look after your career ......................... 79

16. Don’t expect gratitude ........................................................ 80

17. Don’t quit because of the boss ........................................... 81

18. Don’t stay because of the pay ............................................. 82

19. Don’t get complacent .......................................................... 83

20. Don’t blame others .............................................................. 84

21. Don’t bust all your money ................................................... 85

22. Don’t resort to filth ............................................................... 86

23. Don’t go to bed angry ......................................................... 87

24. Don’t compare salaries ........................................................ 88

25. Don’t ask for favours ............................................................ 89


26. Don’t leave room for conflict of interest............................. 90

27. Don’t leave things for the last minute ................................ 91

28. Don’t insist on your way ....................................................... 92

29. Don’t assume, ask................................................................. 93

30. Don’t sulk, get over failures fast .......................................... 94

31. Don’t idle .............................................................................. 95

32. Don’t stop having fun........................................................... 96

33. Don’t get late ........................................................................ 97

34. Don’t seek advice from everyone, nor listen to all the

advice you get ...................................................................... 98

35. Don’t be too hard on yourself ............................................. 99

36. Don’t pretend ..................................................................... 100

37. Don’t second guess yourself all the time ......................... 101

38. Don’t become part of the furniture................................... 102

39. Don’t be a nay sayer ........................................................... 103

40. Don’t over promise............................................................. 104

41. Don’t be scared to blow the whistle ................................. 105

42. Don’t break the rules .......................................................... 106

43. Don’t get involved in turf wars .......................................... 107

44. Don’t leave loose ends ...................................................... 108

45. Don’t lose yourself.............................................................. 109

46. Don’t think that success equals happiness ...................... 110

47. Don’t think that it is easy ................................................... 111

48. Don’t always think it is black and white ............................ 112

49. Don’t love your job more than your wife and kids ........... 113

50. Don’t forget your roots ...................................................... 114


Dos


1

Have a Vision, have a purpose

It is important that you have a Vision from the first day you start work. Be bold and ambitious,

but also be sensible. Along with a Vision, have a clear purpose for your life, as much as you have an ambition for your career. Life will require you to make tough decisions at times, and being clear about who you are, and what you want to become will steer your decisions in tough times. Being aimless and resorting

to wishful thinking will not get you anywhere. Remember, this is YOUR life, only YOU can

answer the big questions. Sure, you can seek advice and guidance, but ultimately, it is you who will need to make the calls, and live with

the consequences. Having a clear Vision and a Purpose will hold you in good stead when faced

with difficult choices to make.

✾ ✾ ✾


2

Plan for 10 minutes every day

Everyday your work is important. Every day will offer new challenges, new opportunities and a myriad of problems to solve. Take ten

minutes to plan your day. Don’t simply have a wish list: be careful in what you put into your

day. Be practical and sensible about what you can do in a day. Also remember that at

work, not everything goes according to plan, so ensure your planning includes a little room for contingencies. They say that planning for 10 minutes help saves 9 hours of work – and it is true. That 10 minutes you devote to think through your day helps steer the day through,

and results in you making the maximum of your 9 hours of work.

✾ ✾ ✾


3

Be positive

One cannot over-emphasize the importance of being positive, and remaining positive. A

lot of things will go wrong, a lot of people will criticize you, and a lot will be thrown at you:

but it is up to you to either take it positively or start mourning. Remember that motivation is something that is within you, not something you can depend on others to do for you. You

need to be in control of your own motivation – and being positive about everything work life throws at you is important in ensuring you are motivated. The thing to be crystal clear about is that nothing is as bad as it first seems, being

able to see past the initial shock is the key.

✾ ✾ ✾


4

Get the job done – don’t try to win a popularity contest!

You are here to do a job – not to win a popularity contest. Sure, you need to be liked, but it is more important to win respect. Strive

to be the best at what you do, and respect will come. If you try to simply be liked, you will be

forced to say OK to things that are not OK. You will be forced to look the other way when you

are not supposed to look the other way. You will be forced to agree when you need to be the nay sayer. Being a leader is rather different to being a populist: and knowing the difference early on

in your career is important to become the leader you need to be in the future. The key is to be

respectful and polite at all times.

✾ ✾ ✾


5

Be willing to do the ‘dirty work’. Be willing to start small.

There are lots of things young executives detest doing. They call this ‘dirty work’ because they

feel it is beneath their dignity to do. Don’t have this attitude. Each ‘little task’ you do will give you experience and insights. One of the

biggest advantages for a manager is to be able to know the tasks their subordinates do – and having done the little tasks along the way will give you invaluable insights on the ‘little tricks’ of the trade. Look at each task expected from

you as a chance to learn – and have the humility to undertake them, no matter how small or

insignificant they may seem.


Be willing to do the ‘dirty work’. Be willing to start small. (continued)

What many will not tell you is the fact that most of those who have reached the pinnacle of their chosen professions started small. Take Bill Gates and the late Steve Jobs: who both started their businesses on a whim and with nothing but a

dream. Take Abraham Lincoln who was a wood cutter, the Beatles who played for many years in unknown bars. If you look at any ‘great’ human being, you will find that they were all willing to

start small, and work themselves up.

Be humble: be willing to start small. As Mahatma Gandhi famously said, ‘the journey of

a thousand miles starts with one small step.’

✾ ✾ ✾


6

Working ‘smart’ is a myth – Working hard is a reality

A lot of self-help books talk about ‘working smart’ – but the reality is that there really is no substitute for hard work. I am not really sure what ‘smart work’ means, because no one I know actually can explain this phenomena. Don’t take short cuts. Don’t try and wiggle

your way out of having to work a little longer and a little harder. Genuine hard work moulds

character and moulds a strong work ethic which is quintessential for your career.

✾ ✾ ✾


7

If you put up with crap, that’s your fault

Don’t let anyone treat you like dirt. Being a junior does not mean you have to be treated like crap. If people start bossing you around, and belittling you at every turn it is a good

sign that you have not learnt the art of having a commanding presence. Learn to have a no-

nonsense approach to work. Have fun, yes, but don’t take crap from anyone – including your

bosses. If you put up with it, it only gets worse later in your career. Never get branded as a

pushover.

The key is to be firm – not rude.

✾ ✾ ✾


8

Be a top performer – quarter on quarter

Organizations and bosses have short memories. Don’t think of this as a bad thing. Loyalty is a

rather overrated commodity. Rely instead on top performance, quarter on quarter. Ensure you become synonymous with great results on an

on-going basis.

Always remember that it takes only one major screw up to undo everything that you have done

till then. This is the way it is. Don’t lose heart. Don’t lose faith. Simply tuck another super

quarter under your belt.

✾ ✾ ✾


9

Be loyal to your boss, and your company

Don’t expect the organization or your boss to be loyal to you: but give loyalty to both your boss and your organization as long as you are in it. Even if you have tended your resignation, work loyally and faithfully until you leave the organization. Your career is 35 years long (if

you start work at 20) your bosses and you will cross paths more than once. Make sure they

remember you as a truly professional individual who never once became disloyal.

✾ ✾ ✾


10

Choose your spouse carefully

Though you may not think of it this way, your spouse will have a lot to do with the success

(or failure) of your career. A supportive spouse who takes an active interest in your career and

has the ability to support you in it is a huge benefit and strength. Once you are married

you become a team, and your careers will be intricately linked. So, choose wisely: this is

probably the biggest decision you take in your life.

✾ ✾ ✾


11

Choose your friends carefully

Friends are important in a career too. Also remember that you will be associated by the friends you keep. It is not fair to judge you by the friends you keep – but that’s just the way it

is. Choose friends carefully. Good friends should help you, keep you in check, challenge you if

you are wrong and most of all, watch your back. Without good friends, work life becomes rather

tough.

✾ ✾ ✾


12

Learn about politics – but resolve not to play it yourself

There is no organization without organizational politics. Learn about it – rather than treating it like taboo. Understand the key players and

their agendas (yes – everyone has an agenda!) and what impact it all has on you. Just because others resort to ‘dirty politics’ does not mean

you have to. Don’t get involved in political games, and take sides. Don’t resort to the dark arts of internal politics. Don’t lose your dignity, pride and values having to do things which you

know amounts to bending the rules. Loyalty is all well and good, but there is a fine line between being loyal to your boss and being his lackey.

✾ ✾ ✾


13

Live values

Values are important. Don’t lose your soul at work. If you don’t know what values are,

then you are a sad excuse for a human being. Don’t try to get coy and claim that ‘values are

subjective’! We all agree we have different points of view – but we all agree on what

fundamental values are. Live them.

✾ ✾ ✾


14

Dress appropriately, dress well

First impressions matter. So does your ‘brand value.’ Dressing appropriately is important in creating the right impressions. Dress for the occasion and ensure you dress well. Fashion

is all well and good, but unless you work for a fashion designing house, dress conservatively. Have a sense of panache if you must, but let it be understated rather than in your face. Read

about how to match colours, the different types of dress codes and take a careful look at your

company dress code and policy.

✾ ✾ ✾


15

Be honest – always Don’t lie. Period.

A wise man once said that telling the truth does not have to mean being blunt and stupid. Three key words hold the key. Be truthful, be tactful,

be helpful.

✾ ✾ ✾


16

Learn to say no, politely

There will be countless occasions when you have to say no. If you were asked to do something

you know is wrong, or illegal, or against company policy, say no. If you know you are

overloaded and cannot take on the tasks given, say no. Remember the three golden words, be truthful, be tactful and be helpful. If you don’t

learn how to say no politely, chances are you will really be overloaded with work, and may well

get involved in things you will later regret.

✾ ✾ ✾


17

Play fair – play nice

You will certainly have to compete inside the organization. You will also have to take tough stances ever so often. Play fair – never cheat, and always be sincere and nice. Being tough and firm is wholly different to being rude and uncivil. You can be as tough as you want to be in a situation, but you can, at the same time, be civil, fair and nice about it. Having this mix is the key to being able to be identified as a

person with character – and a person who will be respected.

✾ ✾ ✾


18

Be a good friend

If anyone wants help, give it. Be a good and sincere friend to others. Don’t feel shy to tell a person they have body odour, or that they are not really doing their job right. The key is to be trusted as a friend – and people will pay heed. It is so much easier to simply overlook things and pretend you never saw it – so much harder to

talk about it and rectify things – but this is exactly what will be required of you as a manager – so why not start now itself! Being a good friend

means genuinely helping others grow.

✾ ✾ ✾


19

Work as a team

Always remember you are part of a team. Do your part, and make sure you help others do theirs. This, at times, means clocking in extra

hours, and taking on things that has nothing to do with you – but do it nevertheless. Remember

point 7 though – if this is abused and people pile things on you simply because they believe you are the ‘nice guy’, then it is time to have a chat one-on- one and explain that you were

doing it to help – and that it should not become a habit or a part of your job! Remember that

one day, when you do get promoted, this is the team you will inherit. Putting the record straight and winning their trust and confidence early on

is critical.

✾ ✾ ✾


20

Choose your battles carefully

Don’t get drawn into office battles. Keep away. If you must fight something, do so carefully, without antagonizing everyone. Don’t take a ‘cavalier’ approach to work, and start being a crusader for others. You will have plenty of battles to fight – but pick and choose them, and never get into them blindly. Making sure your superiors know what it is all about, and

ensuring they are well aware of what is going on is important – but NEVER get them involved in

your little battles.

✾ ✾ ✾


21

Do favours

If someone asks for a favour – give it. Favours are great to win friends, and win confidence.

Favours are generally requested when the person has no choice but to ask for one,

and when a favour is granted without a fuss it is a huge feel good factor. So, do favours,

unflinchingly, and, when you need it the most, they will be there for you (and if they don’t,

you will certainly know what they are really like, which is also a good thing to know).

✾ ✾ ✾


22

If you have something to say, say it to the person’s face

Have the spine to say what you need to say straight to a person’s face. Don’t talk behind a

person’s back. If you don’t have the spine to say it to his or her face, then simply shut up. Talking behind peoples’ back is a sign of a coward. Also

remember that whatever you say has a funny way of getting to the person’s ears – and that

is a sure way of losing your credibility, trust and confidence.

✾ ✾ ✾


23

Be prepared for meetings

Meetings may be a waste of time, and maybe no one else takes them seriously, but meetings ARE a place where you get highlighted (for the good or the bad!) So, go prepared. Make sure

you have all the notes you need; make sure you have completed all the to ‘dos’ from the previous meeting; make sure you have done

your part; make sure you have understood the agenda items and list all the questions you

need to ask. Being planned and proactive for meetings gives all the right vibes to others at the meeting, and it will hold you in very good stead with your superiors, and the superiors of

other departments.

✾ ✾ ✾


24

Be a perfectionist

Take the time to cross the ‘t’s and dot the ‘i’s. Perfection is a rare commodity, and being

detailed and thorough is the first step towards it. Don’t resort to shoddy work in the name of saving time or giving something on time.

Always build a little extra time to get it just right. Even for the most mundane of tasks, demand perfection, and take the time and the effort to

put that extra effort to make the task completed to perfection.

✾ ✾ ✾


25

Be proactive

Don’t wait to be told what to do. Become proactive, and think through what might need to be done, and do it. Think and act on behalf

of your superiors and peers (keeping them posted of course!) Being proactive is one of the key characteristics a superior would look for in an aspiring leader. Cultivate the trait early on in

your career.

✾ ✾ ✾


26

Take challenges

Careers are built on taking tough challenges on and proving you can make it work. With challenges, comes risk. The two are linked

together. Learn to take challenges and risks. It will build character and confidence. Be open

and willing to fail as well because you will never get everything right, and chances are, you will

fabulously fail at times! No matter. Let it never be a deterrent to keep taking challenges and risks.

✾ ✾ ✾


27

Say thank you, say please

Be courteous at all times. Say thank you, say please – never demand, never take things

for granted. Simple things amazingly tend to have a bigger impact than you think. A sincere thank you will have a huge impact to a person who has offered his or her help to you. Show

gratitude, and find ways to show appreciation. A hand written card has way more impact

than a typed out e-mail. Wrapping a gift is as important as the gift itself. Take the time to

show appreciation and good grace.

✾ ✾ ✾


28

Stay focused

Don’t try to do everything. Keep your focus and attention on things that matter. Youth can be full of meaningful distractions that detract

you from the path you have chosen. Remember that distractions can be costly. Remain focused,

remain aligned.

✾ ✾ ✾


29

Take an interest in your boss’s / client’s hobbies

Your boss is important. Take an interest in his / her hobbies. Having the ability to have a decent

conversation with your boss on a mutually interested topic does a lot towards building a relationship with the person. Many times, the

main reason for ‘misunderstandings’ is down to nothing more than not really having anything in common. Don’t expect the boss to take an interest in your life until you take an interest

in his / hers. It is not essential to have a great boss / subordinate relationship to work – but it certainly helps to make working so much more

rewarding!

✾ ✾ ✾


30

Actively choose mentors

Your boss does not have to be your mentor. Every organization will have those who excel in their chosen fields. They may be seniors, they may be peers, they may well be juniors as well. Whichever strata they come from,

actively choose the ‘stars’ and the ‘specialists’ and learn from them all you can. Ask them for advice and ask them for direction. Seek

out work assignments with them. Be in panels and projects they are part of. This will allow you to see them in action, and allow you the

opportunity to work with them which will help you grow.

✾ ✾ ✾


31

Pat yourself on the back

Did a great job? Pat yourself on the back. Take yourself out for a night out in the city. Take a

day off. Reward yourself with a little gift. Don’t wait for your bosses to say ‘good job’ because at times, it never comes your way. Sure, we all

expect it, but the least you actually expect it, the better it will be for you. Great work is a reward in itself. Don’t do it to win accolades from your

superiors, do it because that is what YOU expect from yourself. Being able to motivate yourself is one of the key things you will need to do when

considering the long haul of your career.

✾ ✾ ✾


32

Take the blame

Made a mistake? Had a major F up? Own up. Take the blame. Apologize. Learn from the

mistake. Move on. NEVER pass the buck, and blame someone else!

✾ ✾ ✾


33

Pass the credit

Did some great work? Really nailed the results? Pulled victory out of the jaws of defeat? Give

credit to all those who helped you and be generous in your praise of others. Trust me, you

can NEVER do it alone, and the more people you have around you helping you, the more successful you will eventually be. Those who

jump to take credit generally end up not having a single good friend to call their own!

✾ ✾ ✾


34

Market yourself without showing off

We all accept that marketing plays a crucial role in the development of your career. However,

there is a fine line between marketing yourself and being pompous, arrogant and in your face. Be subtle. Be classy. Have panache. But NEVER

overdo it. No one appreciates a show off!

✾ ✾ ✾


35

Love your work

The late Steve Jobs said it best: You got to find what you love… Your work is to fill a large part

of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you have not found it yet, keep looking:

don’t settle!’

If you applied for a ‘job’ and did not bother asking yourself the question whether you

actually love the work you do, then the blame is squarely on you – not the organization. This is YOUR life, not the ‘business’ – and no one

knows what YOU want better than YOU yourself!

✾ ✾ ✾


36

Be organized

Be organized. Have everything in its place. Have a clean desk. Have all your documents in folders, properly marked, and ensure there is NOTHING on your computer desktop except

the absolutely essential folders. Don’t be messy. Don’t be all over the place. Keep an updated diary. Get rid of all the old bills off your purse

once a week. Keep a pen that writes (not one to simply show off!) Make sure your watch works.

Being organized helps get the most out of your day, and also wins confidence from those you

work with.

✾ ✾ ✾


37

Be conscious of others’ time

Limit pleasantries and eliminate gossip. Just because you have some free time on your hands

does not mean it gives you the right to waste someone else’s time by idle chats and coffee

breaks.

Don’t waste others’ time. Always ask them if they are free before you start rambling.

✾ ✾ ✾


38

Learn from all situations

Work will be filled with all forms of situations. Each situation is a great opportunity. Take the

effort to set out about 10-15 minutes every day towards quiet reflection of what you did for the day, and how you could have handled

things differently. This will make a habit of being conscious of what you do, and build the habit

of internal inquiry and critique which helps immensely in your career.

✾ ✾ ✾


39

Keep a composite file of all your work

Make a file of all your accomplishments. There is a lot we pack into a day, into a week, into a

month. Unless you keep a tab of it on a weekly basis or so, you will certainly forget the key

accomplishments when year-end hits (can you blame your boss for forgetting?) Having a list

of accomplishments enables you to go for your appraisal fully prepared with facts, figures and details. Get the document signed off from your boss on an annual basis – so that should your

boss change, there is something for you to show your new boss when he / she asks the question,

‘so what have you been doing here?’

✾ ✾ ✾


40

Understand the company culture

Each culture is unique. Accept it. Respect it. Saying ‘my former company used to do this that way’ is not better than comparing how

your former girlfriend / boyfriend used to kiss you with your current girlfriend / boyfriend. Sure, you can bring your experiences from your former workplace, but be diplomatic

about it, always respecting the current culture. No culture is perfect, and learning to work in

imperfect situations is a reality of life! If you think something is not right, speak about it, but once again, be diplomatic about it, and understand that you may not be able to change everything

all at once!

✾ ✾ ✾


41

Learn about the industry

Whatever line of work you are in, spend some time to understand the industry you are in. Having the ability to understand and speak

the ‘jargon’ unique to the industry really helps winning confidence of the ‘techies’ who are some of the most crucial employees to win

trust and confidence for when you become a manager. Learn all you can about the industry

and the new trends in your industry.

✾ ✾ ✾


42

Win the respect of your peers

Your peers will be your subordinates (or bosses) tomorrow. Win their respect early. Be identified as a friend they can trust, a peer who will work

hard towards common objectives, and someone they will have fun being with. No one really appreciates a Smart Alec – so don’t be one!

✾ ✾ ✾


43

If you promise, deliver

There is nothing more irksome to a superior than having a subordinate who does not keep

to his or her promises. Your word is your honour – don’t give your word in vain. Sure, there are

always times when we cannot keep to our word, for whatever reason, but this needs to be that rare oddity of a situation – not the norm. Make that conscious effort to ensure you stick to your

word - however trivial it may be.

If you can’t deliver – keep people posted – and always think before you make commitments. It

is always better to say you cannot do something rather than committing to it and then failing to

deliver on the promise made!

✾ ✾ ✾


44

Teach others all you know

The best way to learn, is to teach. Don’t be scared to share your knowledge and expertise

with those who either need it, or don’t have it. If you are scared to teach it is a good sign to say

that you are really not ready to lead.

Go out of your way to share your knowledge. If you see someone struggling due to a lack of knowledge or expertise, volunteer to show the

way. Don’t wait to be asked – give.

✾ ✾ ✾


45

Upgrade your knowledge every week

Whatever your qualification, commit to a lifelong learning. Upgrade yourself every week as a

matter of habit. Read voraciously. Read anything you can lay your hands on about your industry or your vocation. Knowledge is important. If

you commit to reading an hour every day they reckon you will be a specialist in your field within

3 - 5 years. It also means you constantly have new things to share with others!

✾ ✾ ✾


46

Keep abreast with current affairs

Keep abreast of things that are happening around you. The world truly is a ‘global village’ these days, and ensuring you appreciate the

changes taking place, and understanding what impact it will have on you and your organization

will make you think ahead, and be proactive rather than being reactive.

✾ ✾ ✾


47

Take your holidays

Holidays are there for a purpose – to be taken! Take you leave – but plan it well in advance.

NEVER lie on a leave form – and say you were sick when you actually took your girlfriend out on a date! Take about 3 to 4 days at a stretch every year as this (along with your weekend) gives you a nice long week to plan a great

escape and enjoy it with your family and friends. Breaks are important. Don’t burnout!

✾ ✾ ✾


48

Be patient

You might not always get that promotion – or that bonus – or that increment you worked so hard for, and wanted so badly. Don’t lose faith. Don’t lose heart. Don’t get impatient. I am not

suggesting you stick around for the sake of sticking around, but patience is a virtue that will hold you in good stead as a young executive.

✾ ✾ ✾


49

Pace yourself

Your career is a marathon, not a sprint. So, pace yourself. Don’t burn out by the time you are 30! Take time to relax, unwind and make key changes to your life one step at a time. Don’t

cramp your years with a ton of different things, and not have the time to anything properly.

Remember, you are not doing a job – you are building a career. Doing a job is easy, being CEO by the time you are 40 is tough. You

have to choose early on in your work life which path you want to take. Settling simply to be a manager is fine – as long as you don’t hate

everyone who passes you by!

✾ ✾ ✾


50

Be the best one day – but be YOUR best first

Commit to being the best you can be – every day. Every day, when you wake up, ask yourself the question ‘what can I do today to improve and be my best.’ A sense of pride is always important – and the only way to honestly be

happy with yourself is to have some great accomplishments associated with you.

Be YOUR best. Don’t compare. Don’t compete with others. You are the only one you need to

beat on a daily basis!

✾ ✾ ✾


Don’ts


1

Don’t fall down dead when you are 30

Many young executives have some medical issue by the time they get to being 30! They either have cholesterol, high blood pressure,

blood sugar, or all of the above! These are good indicators to say that you are not managing your health, and on a road to a heart attack

pretty soon! Get your medical checkups done every two to three years, eat healthy, exercise regularly, and de- stress every day. There are

countless good books that you can read about having a holistic life: read them, and more

importantly, learn from them.

✾ ✾ ✾


2

Don’t suck up

Oh yes! There are countless others who would have sucked up and got the promotion. Don’t

resort to it. Sucking up erodes respect from peers and subordinates. It also makes you think that sucking up is more important than doing

a sterling job – and it starts consuming most of your time. Sucking up never works in the long

term!

✾ ✾ ✾


3

Don’t get drunk at office parties

Have a social drink with colleagues – but NEVER get drunk at an official function or with colleagues from work. Imagine being the guy who puked in front of your friends getting the

promotion, and then having to command loyalty and respect from them!

If you really want to get drunk – do so in the confines of your home or in private – never in

public!

✾ ✾ ✾


4

Don’t flirt

Don’t flirt. Seriously. Just don’t. Whether you are married or single is irrelevant. So is whether you are a man or a woman. Don’t flirt. There is a world of a difference between dating someone and flirting – and if you don’t understand the

difference between the two, you really need to question your ethics!

✾ ✾ ✾


5

Don’t give excuses

Don’t resort to giving excuses. Simply apologize for the mistake or omission. No one really is

interested in your excuses. Take ownership, take responsibility – and the best way to do it is to

not resort to excuses.

✾ ✾ ✾


6

Don’t stink

Take care of your personal hygiene. Very few will actually tell you that you stink to your face, but you will certainly know it if you are a little sensitive. Sometimes a bath and deodorant

is not enough – you may need to seek a specialist’s advice. Ask your closest friends and family to give you constant feedback about this

rather awkward and embarrassing issue. Oral hygiene is also important. Once again, no one

really tells you that you have bad breath – but if they take a step back every time you speak, take

the hint and go see a dentist!

✾ ✾ ✾


7

Don’t crack stupid jokes

Jokes are a great way of breaking the ice. Jokes are also good at winning votes on popularity. Nothing wrong with jokes – just be sensible

about them. Golden rule – no jokes on religion, sex (sexuality) or politics – you are simply asking

for trouble! Everyone loves a joker – but not when the joker gets promoted and has to be

their boss!

✾ ✾ ✾


8

Don’t make enemies

You are doing a job. You are a professional. Don’t have personal conflicts of any nature.

Whenever you have to take a hard step against a colleague, go out of your way to prove to him

or her that it was nothing personal. Similarly if there is a work based conflict, don’t take it personally, and resort to ‘tit for tat’ tactics: it

only shows you have not yet matured.

✾ ✾ ✾


9

Don’t write stinkers

Want to drop a stinker? Write it all out – but NEVER hit the send button. Instead, send it to yourself, sleep over it, and the next day, if you still feel like it, sleep over it again. I can

guarantee you will not see it in the same light two days after.

Learning to say what you want diplomatically, without severing relationships is an important talent to learn. Don’t ever write a stinker – it almost always comes back to haunt you. Say

what you want to say – but always be diplomatic and a little sensitive to other’s feelings.

✾ ✾ ✾


10

Don’t criticize your boss

You might have a boss straight from hell – and if you really think he sucks, tell it to him, to his

face, in private (and be willing to suffer the consequences in solitude!) Cussing the boss is a sure way of digging your own grave – it also is a sign of a spineless person! Make no

mistake, whatever you tell about him / her will reach his / her ears (usually compounded and

exaggerated.)

✾ ✾ ✾


11

Don’t criticize your company

As long as you are in it, and even afterwards don’t, fault with your company with others. If you see things you want to change, work

tirelessly to bring about that change – rather than whining about it. The company is NEVER as bad as you make it out to be. It pays your salary, and if nothing else, just for that, be grateful and

sincere in your loyalty to it.

✾ ✾ ✾


12

Don’t be a ‘smart alec’

No one appreciates a ‘smart alec.’ Don’t have airs and graces about yourself. Don’t be a snob.

Don’t go out of the way to prove another’s wrong. If you know better, find quiet, humble ways to show it. You may be right – but unless your approach is right too, you never get the

right result.

✾ ✾ ✾


13

Don’t rub it in – don’t make others feel small

There will be plenty of opportunity to utter the words ‘I told you so’ – never give in to the

temptation. Saying ‘I told you so’ is a clear path to others hating your guts, and seeking you out.

Don’t make anyone feel small.

Always respect others – no matter how insignificant, wrong or incapable they may be.

✾ ✾ ✾


14

Don’t make a habit of working late

Working late consistently is a great sign of someone who does not know how to manage their time – or someone trying to get brownie points from the boss for ‘commitment.’ Don’t work for a boss whose sole criteria for judging performance is the hours you put in – because you will never learn from him / her. Don’t work late unless you really have to. Leave office at a decent hour: and when you leave, LEAVE –

don’t take your work home with you.

✾ ✾ ✾


15

Don’t expect HR to look after your career

Don’t expect the HR Department to have a nice career path all planned out for you. Anyone who

has worked for long enough will tell you that you need to carve your own path, and work at it. Your career is your career to plan, map out, and diligently work at. HR will help – sure – but it is

YOUR prerogative – not theirs!

✾ ✾ ✾


16

Don’t expect gratitude

Don’t expect gratitude and loyalty from the company. Organizations are rather cold,

impersonal places – and they WILL spit you out if they want to. Just because you worked loyally and diligently, they will NOT keep you

when crunch time comes. So, DON’T expect it from them. However, give loyalty and gratitude in abundance towards the organization. It may seem one-sided – and it may well be one-sided

– but taking this approach will help you be happier, more prepared and far less hurt than

the other way around.

Moral of the story – don’t be naive!

✾ ✾ ✾


17

Don’t quit because of the boss

Managing the ‘boss’ is a critical skill – wherever in the hierarchy you are. Learn it. If you cannot seem to get along with a particular boss, take it on as a challenge and work that relationship

really hard. Get him to trust you and have confidence in you – and if you STILL want

to leave, then leave after having learnt that valuable skill.

✾ ✾ ✾


18

Don’t stay because of the pay

Don’t stick around simply because the company pays you well – it will only be a matter of time

until you are priced out of the market – and then you are out on a limb! The pay IS important – but it is not everything. Seek out organizations who will challenge you as much as pay you a

good salary. Use your youth to dare – and take tough challenges – not to get comfortable

because of a hefty pay cheque!

✾ ✾ ✾


19

Don’t get complacent

Don’t get complacent with your advancements and achievements. NEVER be too cocky of yourself. Always remember that in anything,

there is room for improvement.

✾ ✾ ✾


20

Don’t blame others

You may not agree with this at first – so think about it. It is ALWAYS your fault! There may be much that is another’s fault – but there is

ALWAYS something that YOU could have done too – in any situation – in any circumstance. So, when something goes wrong, always ask

yourself ‘what could I have done differently’ and accept the blame and responsibility – and learn

from it.

✾ ✾ ✾


21

Don’t bust all your money

Get into the habit of saving and investing. Don’t bust all your money and get into debt. Credit cards and personal loans are NOT the solution

for your financial woes – it makes it worse! Practice discipline with your finances - it will

hold you in good stead always!

✾ ✾ ✾


22

Don’t resort to filth

No matter how angry you may be – NEVER EVER resort to filth – not even under your breath. Filth is for those without any class

or vocabulary – and if you are one of them, consider yourself unsuitable to lead!

✾ ✾ ✾


23

Don’t go to bed angry

You have many years ahead of you. Carrying grudges, regrets and other ill feelings makes

you a rather miserable person rather fast. Every day, before you go to bed, let it go. Listen to some music, pray, meditate – whatever – but

let it go. You will find that you wake much better if you let go of the negativities before

you go to sleep!

✾ ✾ ✾


24

Don’t compare salaries

Why do you want to know another’s salary particulars? Salaries are confidential. Never

share your details with others – neither resort to finding out others’ details! You need to ensure you get paid what YOU think you are worth –

not what you think others are worth!

✾ ✾ ✾


25

Don’t ask for favours

Try not to ask for favours – it generally makes you feel indebted – and there are many who will abuse this. As far as possible, do what you can and don’t ask for favours from others. A favour

and a work requirement are different things altogether – Request for official help - never a

favour!

✾ ✾ ✾


26

Don’t leave room for conflict of interest

Don’t put yourself in that awkward position of having a conflict of interest which will

compromise your ability to be impartial and take straight decisions. Don’t get family and friends involved in business transactions – and if you

must – keep your bosses informed, and do not be part of that decision. If you are doing any

other work outside of your employment, keep your bosses posted, and if required (as per your

company policies) get formal approvals.

✾ ✾ ✾


27

Don’t leave things for the last minute

Plan ahead. Don’t wait till the last minute. Don’t procrastinate. Take a call. Do it. Don’t

keep postponing it to the next day – get it out of the way.

✾ ✾ ✾


28

Don’t insist on your way

There is always more than one way of getting something done. Don’t insist on your way. Listen to what others have to say, and then give your opinion. Debate the merits and demerits and

THEN take a decision.

✾ ✾ ✾


29

Don’t assume, ask

Don’t assume. Ask. Get it verified. Get it cleared. Get it crystal clear. ‘I thought this is what you wanted’ is a sad excuse indeed!

✾ ✾ ✾


30

Don’t sulk, get over failures fast

So you got it wrong! So you got scolded! So you got demoted! So? Get over it. FAST. Don’t sulk. Kids sulk. Adults don’t. Sulking is a sure way of showing you are still a pubescent adolescent!

✾ ✾ ✾


31

Don’t idle

Don’t have enough work? Don’t idle. Ask for more work. YES – ask for more! Idling serves no one well – least of all you, as it makes you lazy and diminishes your ability to manage multiple

challenges! Don’t idle.

✾ ✾ ✾


32

Don’t stop having fun

Have fun – daily at work. Work NEEDS to be fun. If you stop having fun, work starts becoming a

chore and a bore!

Anything can be boring – anything can be fun – it is all up to you!

✾ ✾ ✾


33

Don’t get late

Be punctual. All the time. Every time. Don’t get late. If you know you are running late, please

keep those affected by it posted. Leave a little early if you must and get there five ten minutes early. Never turn up late because it is really a

sign of disrespect to others.

✾ ✾ ✾


34

Don’t seek advice from everyone, nor listen to all the advice you get

Advice is overrated. Listen to anyone – but you need to understand that listening to someone and seeking advice are two different things.

Have a close set ot friends, family and mentors you trust for advice. Seek out those whom you respect – even if you dislike them. Anyone can give advice – but few actually know what they are talking about and can truly show you the

way! So, don’t simply take in everything other’s say. Vet it through your own rationality and

logic. Vet it against your own experience. Vet it against simple common sense.

✾ ✾ ✾


35

Don’t be too hard on yourself

When you demand perfection and superior results from yourself, it is normal to berate

yourself more than you should. Don’t. Things will go wrong – sometimes through no fault of yours. Learn from the mistakes – but don’t be

too hard on yourself. Learn to forgive yourself as much as you forgive others.

✾ ✾ ✾


36

Don’t pretend

Don’t pretend. Be sincere and honest about your emotions and feelings. There is a huge difference between honestly enjoying your work and your workmates and pretending

you do. Pretenses never last too long. So, be genuine in your dealings. Emotional Intelligence

is NOT pretending – though it is a common misunderstanding!

✾ ✾ ✾


37

Don’t second guess yourself all the time

There is a time for logic and reason. There is also a place for your ‘gut’. Both are important. If you have a very strong hunch about something, go with it and try it. Yes, you can fail – but you can fail after doing all the research and analysis too. Learning when to trust your ‘gut’ and when not to is an important leadership skill that will

pay rich dividends when you are a manager – so learn early.

✾ ✾ ✾


38

Don’t become part of the furniture

It is detrimental to stay too long and be sucked into the everyday way of life within the organization. Complacency sets in. You relax. You are too comfortable. You know everyone.

You know you are accepted. You know you can afford to fudge a little and get away with it.

Get out when these signs come up – because you have overstayed your importance – both to yourself and the organization. Don’t ever

become part of the furniture. Challenge yourself to add value constantly.

✾ ✾ ✾


39

Don’t be a nay sayer

New ideas spur thinking, and activity. Don’t become a nay sayer to new ideas and concepts.

Learn to take a critical, but open view of new ideas and thoughts that come your way. Leading

change is an important facet of a leader – and as a young executive you will get the chance to lead small change initiatives – or parts of bigger change initiatives. Don’t scoff it. Don’t criticize

it. Don’t always see the negatives. Learn to look at ‘possibilities’ of making it happen. However,

if you really feel that the new change is going to be detrimental, speak about it with confidence

to your superiors.

✾ ✾ ✾


40

Don’t over promise

Be careful. Don’t over extend yourself. Though a ‘can do’ attitude is great, it does not mean you get silly about what you can actually do. Don’t

overestimate your capacity. Be sensible. Be realistic.

✾ ✾ ✾


41

Don’t be scared to blow the whistle

If you see something wrong – or someone doing something that is breaking company

policy, don’t ever be scared to become a whistle blower. Being a sneak and being a whistleblower

are two completely different things. Don’t think it is a bad thing to be a whistleblower – in fact it is expected for to do so. Read your

company’s policy on whistle blowing and you will understand this better!

✾ ✾ ✾


42

Don’t break the rules

The rule books of organizations are quite straight forward. Don’t break the rules. If you are ever asked to break a rule, please just say no – and point out the rule book. Help change

ineffective policies and procedures – but as long as they stand, they clearly demarcate what you can and cannot do. Nothing is a good enough

excuse to simply flaunt the rules.

✾ ✾ ✾


43

Don’t get involved in turf wars

Don’t take sides. Don’t play partisan politics inside the organization. Do what is right by the organization – not what is right by an individual.

Always remember that you are there to do a job of work, and do it well. Turf wars are often

fought by managers for power and perks – that does not mean you have to be a crusader for their personal cause. Remain neutral – don’t

take sides.

✾ ✾ ✾


44

Don’t leave loose ends

Is you start something – anything – finish it completely. Whether it is a report, or an

assignment, or an initiative – don’t leave lose ends. Take time to finish things off properly, and tidily. Don’t make others mop up after you, and never leave room for something to be done by someone else because you did not do it right.

✾ ✾ ✾


45

Don’t lose yourself

Don’t lose your sense of identity. Don’t lose your values. Don’t lose your ideals. Don’t lose yourself in your quest for career progression. You are the biggest asset you have – refine it,

perfect it, but don’t lose that sense of you who you really are. Improve – but always remain true

to who you are.

✾ ✾ ✾


46

Don’t think that success equals happiness

Many who achieve success are miserable. They lose a lot in their quest for success and fame.

Some lose their minds – others their families. Be mindful that success and happiness, many times, are two opposing things. This is not to say you CANNOT EVER BE both successful and happy – but it is noteworthy to mention that it is VERY RARE! Being mindful and conscious about this

helps you not have the same pitfalls others have.

✾ ✾ ✾


47

Don’t think that it is easy

Work life is not easy. There is a lot of honest, hard work you need to put into it. You will also need to manage bruised egos, hurt pride and

personal sacrifices id have your eyes set on being a CEO eventually. Don’t be fooled into thinking it becomes easier as you progress in your career – in actual fact, it becomes much

worse! Be sure this is what you want – because at least then, if were to make sacrifices, you will

at least be able to justify it in your mind!

✾ ✾ ✾


48

Don’t always think it is black and white

Life in general and work in particular has many shades of gray. It is not straightforward. There are no magic formulas for any of it. Accept the paradoxes work throws up, and embrace this rather than trying to find ‘neat straight lines’

around it. There are multiple aspects all playing out at the same time, and it is impossible to

take one view of anything at work. Embrace the dualities and paradoxes. The only thing you can

count on is your sense of right and wrong.

✾ ✾ ✾


49

Don’t love your job more than your wife and kids

Most people pay lip service to the notion than family is more important that their job. Very few

actually live by that credo. Work IS important – but once you get married, make them the

priority: otherwise, at least tell your spouse that he / she and the kids will come second to your career – so that it is clear from the outset. Many who live to a ripe old age give this one piece of advice: ‘ultimately, all you have is your family’ –

and I for one think it is true.

✾ ✾ ✾


50

Don’t forget your roots

Too many young people achieve success only to forget their roots and become pompous,

arrogant idiots. Don’t be one of them. Always remember your roots. Your humble beginnings. Your parents, and the values they tried hard to

live by and inculcate.

The higher you climb, the humbler and simpler you should get!

✾ ✾ ✾

Documents

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