Promote yourself

Nishan Wimalachandra - Corporate Trainer and Lecturer

We are always fascinated by the sheer dominance and power which could be exercised over others and situations.

This is another part of animal instinct which is still prevalent in all humans; of course individuals such as St. Theresa are excluded from these types.

It’s nothing new that we all want to be recognized, well treated and admired by others, but the hitch remains constant, that is, there’s always someone above you, someone who rules over you, someone to whom you must report to.

Most of us will agree that, we all wish to sit in a higher chair than we already are. It is merely human desire to aspire greatness, not just a selfish endeavour.

All have experienced the treatments of a cruel boss, who seem to have it all, the latest laptop, the latest car, the latest mobile phone, and of course the latest mate who in your opinion look quite late.

There is no point in regretting that you could never have these, what your boss’s seem to have achieved or taken. Instead its time you promoted yourself and enjoy the ice cream while it’s on your boss’s plate.

Modern firms are full of their own cultures, hereinafter referred to as “office politics” which is quite unique of their kind. As in secular politics, there are no permanent enemies or friends in office politics too; and therefore have lot of possibilities and opportunities for one’s own personal benefit which surpasses all organizational visions, goals and objectives.

Marxism is merely a system of gaining more marks from your superiors while Capitalism is not more than driving the latest Merc or Bmer while connected to your office 24/7 via BlueTooth. It’s sickening not to have these things which are enjoyed by the elite in organizations. Mostly employees hate their bosses not because they are above them, but because they seemed to have received more without doing much. Its time employees stopped envying their bosses and start living up to their ideals and dreams. If they are stronger than you, be friendly with them, if they seem to have what you want, simply promote yourself.

Promoting yourself in an organization seems quite difficult, mainly because there are others who want what you want. This internal competition to please the boss on all occasions is not just a new theory; it’s been a well practised phenomenon throughout ancient history.

Empires and dynasties have taught us how to do the job so stealthful, while others are asleep. You don’t need extraordinary talents to promote yourself, just following the below instructions would do.

Look dumber than you are

If you display all your talents to the outside world, many will feel threatened by your presence. It’s better for you to conceal what you are capable of and show it only to the one who could promote you. Even to your boss, do not show all your talents, appear to be lower than your boss, otherwise he will feel intimidated by you and this will get you sacked before you accomplish anything.

Most people who get sacked are not sacked for mere incompetence in the job. They are mainly sacked due to their attitude. So no wonder organizations end up with people who cannot get the job done. And bosses like it when they have to correct things in their employees, it makes them feel superior.

So it’s important to make the boss feel competent and respected (even though you know that you are better).

Always find better solutions than what the boss would find to a prevailing problem and present the solution as if it was earlier mentioned by him. And give him all the glory. This will definitely make him proud. And guess what - Pride goes before a fall.

We don’t need examples, one after the other to prove this point. We all have seen this; we all know how favourites have fallen. We have witnessed how the new recruit who displayed lot of talent as an aspiring manager got fired.

So it’s important to understand and admit that the boss is the present star and you must give him all the shining.

So if you look dumber than you are, you will always make sure that your boss gets all the attention and you are just his accomplice.

It’s a must that you always talk about the capabilities, contacts and good qualities of your boss to everybody at all times. You must always speak good things about your boss to other employees and win their hearts towards the boss who may appear cruel to them. By doing this, you become invincible in the organization. If by any chance your boss finds your fault and communicates it to another, they may think your boss to be evil to speak badly about such a nice person like you who praises and follows the boss’s way of doing things.

Always and at all times preach the need for change, talk about how things could be improved, how pending problems could be finalized, how other people should be promoted and how it will affect the business success. Make recommendations to your boss for your enemies to be promoted and make sure that the boss knows they are your enemies. But never let change be made in a way that will affect you. By allowing enemies and your colleagues to be promoted, you become more powerful. And your opinion is considered important, because you seem to have less selfish ambitions to climb great heights. When the time comes, the boss will do the needful in firing your enemy, your job is done effortlessly. Now you have less competition. Your boss always knows that you only work to see the organization prosper, not otherwise, so your recommendation to fire someone doesn’t sound as you are taking revenge, mainly because you are the one who recommended their promotion.

Be updated in all things, don’t be the one to say, I didn’t know it. Be informed and be the most wanted. Never exercise authority over others. This will make people suspect your intentions. Bosses like to be the ones to make final decisions, so don’t make haste, make your boss make the decisions you want made, and get him play the cards you select. Be the confidante of the boss, without you make him feel that he has lost a good friend and an expert on matters pertaining to his success.

Don’t let others copy your ways

Right gear at the right time at the right place is what the doctor said. Therefore master the art of timing, do the right thing at the right time. Do not create suspicion among your co-workers. Do not let them please your boss as much as you do. Pleasing personalities are which you must get rid of.

All of us psychologically get attracted to pleasing things, even kindergarten teachers tend to treat less attractive children in a wrong way and tend to favour the cute children. So this is so embedded in us, make sure that your boss does not see any talent in anyone of your colleagues unless for later firing purposes.

Stay close to the power source, but never be it

The higher your boss is the highest likelihood of falling down. And no one in this century is new to this sort of thing. It should be noted with care, that the ones who get mostly fired are the top guns, because their responsibility is high and the shareholders expect just too much from them.

It must be understood that no one could remain on top forever. As markets change, tastes change, shareholders wishes and requirements change too, therefore the possibility of your boss falling is quite evident; may not be in the next few months, but definitely it will happen. Wait for it; don’t push until the evidence is clear. When that happens don’t get personal, after all its just business, move on with your job. All your tactics have to be re-sharpened to a new comer who will need an accomplice to start with.

And when the new comer comes, repeat all of the above, but beware of the after effects, be mindful not to offend the wrong person. The wrong person may be able to send you home without compensation. Therefore use all your energy to prove yourself to be worthy of his friendship and be his confidante. By doing this, you have won his favour and you stand to be promoted to a higher position than your colleagues. So keep the main thing in mind, you are the sculptor of your own life, unless you do it no one will do it for you. You are your own saviour in your workplace.