Executive Coaching Guru

Parkinson's Law is the adage that "work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion." - The Peter Principle is the principle that "In a Hierarchy Every Employee Tends to Rise to His Level of Incompetence." - Baruch's Observation is "if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail." - Lubarsky's Law of Cybernetic Entomology, “there is always one more bug.” - Ducharme's Axiom, "If you view your problem closely enough you will recognise yourself as part of the problem." - Executivecoachingguru says, "people will believe anything if you lean in intently and whisper it"

1. Accessorise so the top boys see you as one of them, don't over reach, just go for the next level. I know it sounds superficial (and it is), but you have to look like you belong in the club. But always remember 'subtle classic elegance' always beats 'trendy, flash and loadsa money'. Your accessories are reflecting your reliability and common sense and for heavens sake there is no point having a £500/$900 suit if you have a £50/$90 watch. 2. Have an elevator pitch of the benefits of what you are doing, not just the activities you are doing. Rehearse it, with eye contact and emotional content. 3. Understand who your boss is sucking up to and do it better. 4. Only put yourself forward for things that will succeed. 5. If you're responsible for it, then you should be in charge of it. 6. Seek 'face to face' feedback, tell them what you are going to do, do it, ask for feedback. Continue forever. 7. Have integrity. Stand for something. You don't have to be right, but you do have to have an opinion. 8. Be seen, press the flesh, have a tangible presence, take the long way everywhere, so people know you're around. 9. Practice your reactions and behaviours untill what isn't natural becomes natural, the first time to find out what you sound and look like when challenging someone, shouldn't actually BE the first time! 10. Don't gossip! Ever! I mean it! It'll kill your career faster than a bullet!

"If I had my life to live over again, I'd dare to make more mistakes next time. I'd relax, I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones. You see, I'm one of those people who live sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I've had my moments. And if I had it to do over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I've been one of those people who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute. If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have. If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies." - Attributed to Nadine Stair (85 years young)