Sunday, March 3, 2013

Tips From Professional Suck-Ups

Immediately ignore this useless co-worker and turn up a smiling face for ta-da Here comes the boss!
Don’t forget to ask if his wife, what the hell was her stupid name again?, is feeling any better
Quick now, look eager, right, that’s the way for a budding, would-be-successful middle manager
Tack up that latest memo she wrote, right beside your nodding head in that neat little cubicle

Should I use my simpering grin or that hearty laugh to ingratiate myself to him this time?
Smile and say Hello, act interested, and try to remember their whatever drivel from yesterday
Straighten up and suck it in so she can palpate your great respect by imperious glance alone
Pop your head up with a hearty greeting you self-centered shoulder-climber: You need this job

Actually… I’d be very interested in your take on this market situation if you wouldn’t mind
Oh yes, I got that email and my people are already on it, even as we speak
You know, I can really see the sense in this shared vision thing that you guys put together
Gosh, it always seems like you’re already busy when I get in and still hard at it when I leave

Focus in, prick up those ears and really act like you are just full of the most rapt attention
Ask that question you thought up that you know will start him to smilingly strut and hold forth
Hmmm, Where should I sit in this meeting room to optimally display my completely abject support
Just keep in mind that your real work here is to cultivate relationships with those in charge

I’m not here to make waves so I appreciate any personal advice you might be able to share
How’s your golf game going with that new set of woods you were telling us about?
That was really funny when you were talking to that new salesman the other day
If you have a minute, I have a quick question about our new strategy going forward

Don't you dare show your anger when she dismissively waves you off again to talk to her ignorant kid
Got to find something similar to those hideously tasteless shoes she’s always wearing
Stay aware that keeping his project schedule updated is more important than any real work you do
Suck up by telling her that you’re facing a tough issue and that you could really use her input

Sometimes I just feel overwhelmed, how do you always manage your time so effectively?
But, remain ever ready to scuttle beneath new leaders should office politics suddenly change
Keep hoping the real bosses might remember your name from their 30000’ overview level
Unconsciously know when to switch screens and drop your cell call cause she’s walking by

Silently leave your coworkers hanging out alone should they dare to raise some contentious issue
Don’t ever mention any of the layoffs, failed projects, stalled initiatives and discarded objectives
Portray yourself to be as trusting and energetic as a good child and as loyal as a lovable pet dog
Offhandedly mention work stuff that happened really early, late at night or on the weekends

Always be ready to grab credit from some contractor or shift blame to a grumpy old employee
Be sure that they are aware you are so eager to move up but: only via their wise mentoring
At every opportunity make it appear as if you are sacrificing your personal life for their vanity
Be that unctuous sycophant even as you kick down with killer sociopathic focus, and you will go far

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