These all get filed under, “Everything is my fault”. Hint: read Derek’s blog post to understand what I/he mean by this.

Give a damn

No, I mean it. Actually care about the company and the people you work for and with. If you don’t, shame on you!!! You are stealing from them and you should STOP IT!

Never believe that management/ownership is the enemy

You’ll find them in most organizations; the “Us vs. Them” crowd. These people and this thinking is career suicide. They suck and if you join them, you suck too. As my drummer and I sometimes suggest to each other (in jest), “Turn down the suck!”

Understand that pay isn’t everything.. but it is something

I explain to IT pros, especially earlier in your career, but also during transitions and re-calibration (new directions), that you must, at times, adopt a “trade pay for opportunity” mentality.

When I worked in a user department, reporting directly to an ambitious Director, I was offered higher pay on 2 or 3 occasions to join the IT group. I declined each time. I was working for someone who allowed me to, program, run the network, work with and manage vendors, create documentation, write and deliver training, devise new solutions with great autonomy, run meetings, give presentations, etc. Eventually, the solutions created led to consulting that bumped my salary to more than 3X what I earned in a 12 month period of time.

On the other hand, for the right opportunity, take the pay! There is nothing wrong with that.

Own your career

To hear some people talk, you’d think they’d signed themselves into voluntary slavery. They complain about their pay, their workload, management, the company, blah blah blah blah.

Please understand this VERY IMPORTANT fact.

Every job is simply an agreement between two parties trading something of value.

You provide talent, effort, attitude, etc. They (the company), provides compensation. Compensation might be: pay, insurance (or not), environment, supplies, the work, etc.

If you do not like the agreement, either 1) change the current agreement – typically by selling how amazing and valuable you are; or 2) find a new agreement.

I just gave you permission to own your career. It’s all about you!

If every boss you work for is a jerk, check the mirror

Either, you are bad at assessing people when interviewing.. better learn to fix that.

– or –

You are wildly unlucky… purchase a lottery ticket today. I mean, what are the odds, right?

– or –

You are the problem! You are the jerk! Ownership of this fact sucks! But, it could save your career. You might be able to fix it if you own it!

Be Proactive! Be Positive! Add Value! Share Opportunity!

You are now empowered! Go forth and add value like it’s pixie dust. You can’t go wrong if you do that.