12 Essential Lessons for the New To the Corporate World

Mr. X left his home at a young age. In spite of having been brought up in a business family with a comfortable childhood, he opted to seek employment in a company away from his home town, and started at the lowest levels to pursue his calling, of course through a reference. Different culture, different people, different environment with no exposure.. First day in office, and he was found an odd man out because of his attire and demeanour which had this air of superiority..

Obviously, he started making mistakes of behaviour without being aware that he was doing so. Two years went by without much progress. Due to his habit of making lose comments about others work he found himself often being assigned such jobs which could at best be called essential routine without offering any chance of growth. However, one day he took a pause and sat thinking. Had he left home to do the jobs which didn't offer a future of promise. No. Then what could he do having decided to continue to work at the place where he was working (and where actually he was to for three decades) to learn and grow.. So what he could do? He decided to embark on learning and to implement that learning for an assured growth.

He decided on two things: One, he would always work with total commitment and dedication to the organisation. Two, he would not compromise with his personal values.

And after almost three decades when he looked back at his life after reaching a certain level and then opting to go his own way, he could see the lessons shining on the walls of his mind which he chose to share with me with a promise that I would share with all of you....which I now do.

Lesson One

Be very clear about what you want to pursue as your profession including the kind of company you want to work with. Because this would give you direction and the kind of effort you will need to make. Let it not be accidental. And seek advice of only those who matter. Listen to only those who are experienced. Don't fall in trap of eloquence alone.

Lesson Two:

Prepare well to sell yourself.. You should be able to start preparing before hand. Nothing can beat preparation. Why would an organisation pick you up? For the same reason you pick up any product for your use.. Isn't it. Is it a finished product? Will it meet my requirements for which I am buying it? What would be its future life.? You will have to think by being a 'product" being offered to the company.

Lesson Three:

What extra do you have to offer in addition to doing day to day routine work.. Always work on adding to your capabilities. Like may be you can work on enhancing your control on language and become a good compere` or an anchor for the programmes in the organisation. You will get noticed. And becoming visible for productive and constructive reasons is always useful.

Lesson Four:

Remember in the corporate world even if you are told otherwise, you would be alone.. You have to fight your own battles and carry your own cross. The moment you start succeeding, someone out there would start conspiring to see to it that you stumble on the way to your success. You will have to work on yourself constantly to make yourself stronger. One thing which will always hold you in good stead would be to postpone all the judgement. Never give opinions unless asked for. Even then be very cautious.

Lesson Five:

Whenever there is any issue embroiling you and any of your friends in a meeting i.e. if you are pitched against each other, then remember, emotions and feelings would be the first things to be thrown out of window. As I said - it is war out there..Your survival would be of paramount importance.

Lesson Six

You have been picked up by the organisation to make you do what you are asked to do ..Not what you want to do.. Why would I pay you to do what you want to.. ? Isn't it? Logical. So never talk about your work ever with a negative tone.. Handle the problems diligently and quietly. Perform or you will perish. No mercies.

Lesson Seven:

Corporate seldom understands a language of sacrifice.. If you have sacrificed something good for the sake of your friend then remember not to expect the same gesture from him/her when you are in need.. It may not come.

Lesson Eight:

Boss is a boss is a boss. Whatever may be the circumstances or situation where your boss is projected as a villain..you are not supposed to utter a single word against the boss. It will reach him / her and It never ever gets appreciated..Yes, it does provide entertainment value for others. It has remained a mystery for many a century that how does a boss ever come to know what is being said behind his/her back when one shares the discomfort with only those whom one trusts.

Lesson Nine..

Be trustworthy but prefer not to trust people in general.. Never share your innermost feelings with your colleagues or superiors. And it is a big NO-NO to do that with your juniors. It is neither expected not required. Be a team member.. Never betray any of your team members..

Lesson Ten

Always have options or generate them before taking any kind of a personal or professional decision.. Never take a decision on impulse.. Let each decision be a thoughtful conscious decision.

Lesson Eleven

Remember you can't be much different in your personal life and professional life. Don't buy the concept that these are two different lives.. No, you are one.. don't try to be anyone else in your professional life.

Lesson Twelve

Remember, corporate environment being a dynamic environment, picture behind you will keep on changing including the power centres.. They would shift too. You must ensure to be alert and be on the right side of those who matter.. and that's the crux those who mattered yesterday, may not matter today.. Be vigilant.. You can never move up the ladder without support. You will have to learn to attract that support...as your Job is never safe. Anything can change..

HAVING LEARNT THESE LESSONS, NEVER FORGET THIS ONE TRUTH:

Whatever be your achievements, never let your feet off the ground. Never brag because even if you fail to see it, the truth is that luck would have always played some role in it. So always be humble and have a attitude of gratitude.

I think, if these 12 Lessons, as narrated to me by Mr. X, are learned and implemented well then one can look forward to having a great career with any organisation, anywhere.. as humans all around the world have same emotions. Their expressions can be different..

There may be some more lessons.. so keep picking them up as you move along.

Let me add here: There is a possibility that Opposite of some lessons would also be valid.. and then it has to be Absolutely Opposite and not just a little different.. like lesson is Don't trust anyone.. If you will like to choose otherwise, then you can trust some Absolutely..Completely... having even an iota of doubt or distrust won't work.. No, it doesn't work..

Ramesh Sood

Contact : [email protected]