Subject: Omaha World-Herald placement
From: "Merilee:::Kern Communications" <[email-masked]>
To: "John" <[email-masked]>, <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 2008 09:30:17 -0700

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=1208&u_sid=10422337&u_rss=1&

Published Wednesday    September 3, 2008
Cubicle Chatter: How workers can climb the ladder
BY CHET MULLIN
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

John M. McKee, author of "21 Ways Women in Management Shoot Themselves in the Foot," offers seven ways for workers to succeed in a politically charged company culture as they climb the corporate ladder:

1. Overcommunicate. Organizations hate surprises, so keep others informed about what you're planning or currently working on.

2. Mentors. These individuals - both inside and outside the company - are still the best way to get an objective handle on what's really going on in an organization. A mentor also can be a confidant with whom you can plan strategy and vent.

3. Open-ended questions. Ask a lot of questions of different people from different areas of the company. And then shut up. When you get their perspectives, it helps you see the world as they do and understand what they deem important.

4. Review constantly. Seek constant feedback from others. Many great managers fail because they believe that what is right is what will succeed, which all too often is not the case.

5. Get "buy-in." It's important to ensure that everyone who may be influenced by your programs or initiatives is aware of what is going to happen and feels that they have been involved.

6. Give - and take - due credit. Credit those on your team who deserve it but don't miss an opportunity to take credit for your work.

7. Style: It still counts. How you present yourself to others - your external facade - can make a big difference in how you are perceived.