That's not my job.

You got promoted. Congratulations! It may be tempting to take this simple phrase out for a spin: "that's not my job" - whatever task you're declining WAS a part of your job before, you paid your dues, you got your promotion, so now someone else can do that work.

Be careful. The more you believe that any part of business is "beneath" you is the beginning of your decline and the decline of your brand.

If your business has customers, you work for the customer. That may mean the occasional menial task. You might hide behind the "it's not cost effective for me to do it" excuse. Your ego keeps whispering to you "hey, you're a Vice President, you don't have to do this any more" - your ego is not your friend, it just wants a quick hit of power and superiority.

Part of the appeal of the show "Undercover Boss" is how it brings CEO's "back to reality" and out of their ensconced executive offices. The humility helps the "wow I had no idea it was this tough" CEO connect with their employees. It's entertaining but underneath all the scripted feel-good endings is a reflection on what the corporate world does: it promotes a "not my job" mindset which takes us away from the humanity of people trying to do their best and helping other people.

When you pass that coffee cup that didn't quite make it into the rubbish bin, reach down and pick it up and beautify your office hallway. It need not sit there until the janitorial staff comes at the end of the day.

If you say "that's not my job," one day when asked about work, your answer might be "no, that's not my job any more."