A Little Bit Anxious

[Dylan]

[Dylan]

[Darkhorse]

[Dylan]

[eric]

No I don't want to do that. I do enjoy helping build up people though.

[Stratego]

[Darkhorse]

[eric]

[Stratego]

[phosphide]

I don't really have any life lessons necessarily since my professional career isn't that long, however, you may find it helpful. It's all pretty obvious and we generally all know these things, but sometimes its a good idea to bring them back up.

For the beginner:
Negotiating salary: my first job I got laid off before I even started (the company basically went under right when I was about to start). I then took the first job I could get out of desperation. Undoubtedly, they knew that because I was an intern there previously and knew what had happened to the company I went to work for. I was concerned at the time if I pushed too hard they would turn me away. I got screwed in the end. The offer was shit, but I definitely think I could have aimed higher and pushed back harder. They took advantage of me and they knew it. I even heard the COO bragging about getting people for cheap at a later time. There is never a shortage of people who are willing to f**k you over at any time for their own gain. Aim high, you can always come down.

In general:
Don't form alliances: I never did but they are everywhere. Sometimes you don't have a choice, especially when your boss and another team member are too busy dick measuring. It ruins productivity, nothing gets completed on time, and at the end of the day it hurts everyone. It can hurt your advancement as well. "There are no friends on Wall St" is pretty accurate. Effective leaders work with everyone, not just their buddies. Often times your buddies will only make things worst.

Don't say your opinion on everything: This one is really hard for me because I agree and disagree at the same time (of course coming from a political-site it sounds contradictory). In-action can be just disastrous as action, but we all have to pick our battles. Sometimes its worth it, often times its not.

Watch what you say (or write): I'm not very good at this one, as my mouth moves faster than my brain, especially when it's something I'm passionate about or worked hard on. The recent Sony e-mail leaks are a perfect example of this though. Everything you say in business and to whom you say is important, even when you think it's not. People are watching, listening, and judging everything you do.