Nice, but you've probably heard them many times. Try these revolutionary strategies below instead.
Sandwich Solutions
Chris Komisarjevsky, chief executive emeritus at Burson-Marsteller, a leading New York City-based public relations and public affairs firm and father of nine children, co-wrote "Peanut Butter and Jelly Management: Tales from Parenthood Lessons for Managers" (Amacom, 2004) with his wife. Their book details how corporate management requires many of the same skills as being a good parent.
"There are a lot of lessons to be found in unexpected places," Chris says. For example, making a mistake in the workplace is not unlike his son acting out in school and later apologizing for his behavior.
"I think in the work environment, people try to blame someone else for things that went wrong," he says. "You can't get very far if you don't acknowledge the mistake. It's a very important lesson in life."
Do the Impossible
In his book "Secrets of Special Ops Leadership" (Amacom, September 2005), William A. Cohen, Ph.D., retired major general of the U.S. Air Force, details how the United States' most unique fighting forces can teach you how to exemplify yourself as a leader.
"These [men and women] are in high risk situations with limited resources," he says of those placed in special ops. "They're different, and we can learn from them in terms of business."
William says that special ops frequently do things others may consider impossible. So even if you're a long shot for a promotion at work, ask the boss to consider you -- it will show you're ambitious and anxious for more responsibility. You boss will not only be impressed by your ambition, but your desire to lead.
Display a Willingness to Learn
Desire is what drove Aretha Rhone Bush to pursue the nontraditional pathway of online study. When she was working as an assistant principal at Hilton Head High School in South Carolina, Aretha learned of an opportunity to head up a new school.
After leading a 55-member committee through the design and build process of Bluffton High School, a state-of-the-art technology school, Aretha was unanimously chosen as its principal. At age 34, she was one of the youngest in South Carolina.
To solidify her position, Aretha is pursuing her Ph.D. in elementary and secondary administration through Capella University's online program. "I needed to find a way I could obtain my career goals and still participate as an active practitioner in education," she says.
Her own online higher education experience has inspired her to integrate eLearning into her high school.
Success, One Lunch Meeting at a Time
Richard "Bo" Dietl let the world in on his success secrets in his new book, "Business Lunchatations: How an Everyday Guy Became One of America's Most Powerful CEOs. And How You Can, Too!" (Penguin Group, 2005). Bo and his co-author, Bob Bly, discuss creative ways to advance, not just professionally, but monetarily as well.
Dietl says at the very least, arranging a meeting opens up possibilities for future negotiations. So, even if you don't land that big account at work, keep the company's objective in mind -- the next opportunity could prove beneficial for you when it comes to promotions and your pocket.
Bottom line? If you find yourself stuck in a dead-end job, take the Komisarjevskys' advice: Look for get-ahead lessons in unexpected places.
