success in corporate america: the written and unwritten rules of the game

Success in Corporate America:

The Written and Unwritten

Rules of the Game

All opinions expressed are purely those of the speakers, not of the companies that they work for.

OVERVIEW

Panelist Bios

Rules of the Game

Unwritten Rules

Critical Success Factors

Q&A’s


SHAWN EMERSON SIMMONS Background

University of Oklahoma – BS PE ’93 Rice University – MS Environmental Engineering ‘99 Texas Southern University – PhD Environmental Toxicology ‘03 Full time with ExxonMobil since 2000

Experience

Apr ‘14 to present - Water, Waste and State Regulatory Manager

Aug ‘12- Apr ‘14 – ER&S Supervisor – Africa, Asia Pacific, Australia, Europe

Jul ’07 – ‘Aug ‘12 – E&R Supervisor, Lagos, Nigeria Jul ‘03 – Jul ‘07 – E&R Advisor, Nigeria Projects, Houston, TX Aug ’00 – Jul ‘03– Environmental Coordinator, Baytown Complex

Best “Game” Strategy: Follow up from time to time with key leaders and let them know what you are doing. Use a written note – it’s a lost art and people really appreciate and take notice that you took the time.


KIMBERLY FICK Background

Colorado School of Mines– BS ChE ’99 Penn State– MS ChE ‘01 Penn State– PhD ChE Alternative Diesel Fuels ‘04 Full time with ExxonMobil since 2004

Experience

July‘14 to present - Logistics Technology Section Head, Fairfax, VA

Jan ‘13- July ‘14- Refining Technology Advisor, Baytown, TX Jan ‘11 – May ‘12– Operations Supervisor, Baytown, TX Apr’09 – May ‘10 – Operations Supervisor, Baytown, TX Mar‘07– April ’09 – Application Engineer Supervisor, Baytown,

TX Aug ’04– Mar ‘07– Control Systems Engineer, Fairfax, VA

Best “Game” Strategy: Build your network – include those up, down, and lateral. You never know who may be able to help you/benefit from your help. I phone call or personal interaction will always get results faster than an email.


RULES OF THE GAME

It’s a Game It’s a contest with winners There is (intense) competition There are rules Everyone has a choice of moves

A series of well-planned, well-executed moves drives any player closer to success

At the same time, one serious miscalculation can sidetrack a career


RULES OF THE GAME

It’s Your Choice to Play the Game

Involves a series of increasingly difficult choices and tradeoffs

Tradeoffs may help you to choose to plateau your career at a certain level

The choice of moves is always yours No whining


THE RULES OF THE GAME

*P – I – E

Performance Image Exposure

“This isn’t your Grandma’s apple pie”

*Excerpt from “The Organizational Game Revealed” by Harvey Coleman


PIE – FORMULA FOR SUCCESS

Perform Exceptionally Well - 10%

Cultivate the Proper Image – 30%

Manage One’s Exposure to the Right People – 60%

Perform; 10%

Image; 30%

Exposure; 60%


IMAGE

From the moment you step on campus or into a new work environment, you are a visible expression of where you are in the culture, and where you expect to go.

Image includes: Personal expression The way you walk The way you sit The clothes you wear Your pleasant (or foul) demeanor

Your image says “I’m ready” or “I’m not ready” to play the game seriously.

Im-age; 30%


IMAGE

Your business wardrobe is very, very important to your career

Serious players dress at least one level above their present position

Dress denotes your ability to fit into “the club”

Im-age; 30%


EXPOSURE

Exposure is the element of the P-I-E formula that has the greatest impact on your career

It is extremely important to gain, maintain and enhance your visibility and exposure

You need to gain the exposure necessary to attract a mentor(s) and sponsor(s)

Exposure; 60%


UNWRITTEN RULES

Whomever is at the top of the pyramid has the right and responsibility to make the rules

… but you also need to understand who in your organization has influence

To get ahead, you must be pulled through the system by someone from a higher level – your sponsor


UNWRITTEN RULES

Pick your boss carefully (if you have the opportunity to do so)

Make your boss look good Never go to your boss with a problem

for which you have not considered a solution


UNWRITTEN RULES

You have to get the job done. Effectively getting the job done is a prerequisite to advancement

Don’t make excuses

Exposure is critical

Always be on your game whenever interacting with senior leaders


UNWRITTEN RULES

Networking – it’s who you know, not just what you know

People usually do business with people they like or with whom they feel comfortable, loyalty is a key trait

The game doesn’t always seem “fair” but, YOU can play to win !!!


CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS

Hard Work (Efficiently!) Results Mentor Sponsor Leadership Image/Presentation of Self Loyalty and Commitment Strong Network and Relationships Take Calculated Risks & Try New Things


Q&A


RESOURCES Books

Empowering Yourself: The Organizational Game Revealed by Harvey Coleman

Ruderman, M.N. and Ohlott, P.J. (2002). Standing at the Crossroads: Next Steps for High-Achieving Women. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Women and Political Savvy By Jean Brittain Leslieand William A. Gentry, Ph.D. Center for Creative Leadership. October 2012.

Political Skill at Work: Impact on Work Effectiveness by Gerald R. Ferris, Sherry L. Davidson, Pamela L. Perrewt.

The Web

Jo Miller Blog: http://www.womensleadershipcoaching.blogspot.com/

Search Politics to bring up several articles on office politics


http://www.womensleadershipcoaching.blogspot.com/

http://www.womensleadershipcoaching.blogspot.com/

success in corporate america: the written and unwritten rules of the game

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