Office Office - I

My juniors and my siblings in their final years of college don't leave an opportunity to ask me about my new life. My life in Tata Steel and my roles, responsibilities and challenges involved. They also seek advices and tips which would help them out once they enter a corporate setting.

I tell them a lot of stories and give them plenty of fundas. What I don't tell them is that on some days,  I get into a similar kind of situation.-

 Or that sometimes, this is all I do-

Not to mention my activities during important meetings-

But jokes apart, there are some fundamental rules and values by which one must conduct oneself at his/her workplace. I am trying, I must admit, with tremendous effort, to regularize some of these in my everyday activities. I have learned some of them the hard way and am listing them down for my peers and juniors; those who are new to a work environment.

Many self-help books and performance-enhancing guides may also have similar articles. But this list is my own; from what I have learnt in the last 12 months. Also, barring a few, I don't have a clue as to how i would be able to pick up these traits.-

• The Fundamental Rule. Keep your eyes and ears open, and your mouth shut. Your work should speak about you and not the other way round.  
• Try to learn as much as possible. There are lessons hidden everywhere. 
• Never try to belittle anyone or hurt his/her feelings. Whether it’s your unit head or even the office sweeper. No one forgets an insult. Ever.
• Be careful about whatever you say. Everyone notes those extra As and Bs you are dropping around. 
• Be on time. Its importance can never be over-emphasized
• 'If you have ego and anger on your side you don't need an opponent'. - Harsha Bhogle 
• Never ever lie. Sooner or later, everyone gets to knows everything that is happening.
• For all those manufacturing/process-industry guys, spend lesser time in front of the computer and more time on the shop floor. Your payslip is being processed there.
• Sharp observations. Invest in this skill. Often the game-changer.
• At times, share a joke with your workers. Sit down on the shop floor with them. Offer them a smoke. Have rum with them on their daughters' marriages.
• Be ethical. Life is a fairly long journey.Your unfair/immoral practices are going to catch up with you sooner or later.
• Be the first one to admit a mistake. People forget the mistakes you make, they don't forget that you give shitty excuses for them. 
• Never gossip about others. It is the habit of fragile men.
• Appreciate your subordinates' work even if there are a million flaws. Then politely but elaborately, list down their mistakes. Don't let their shortcomings go unattended.
• At times of crisis, try to stand up and deliver. That's when one earns recognition and respect.

Finally, the most important one-

•  It takes years to build a reputation; just one moment to squander it away.

And if someone can follow all these tenets, he will surely be very productive.-

Credits: Scott Adams