Treating colleagues with respect/admiration can help you work your way up the institutional ladder. But how much sucking up is too much? Does being naughty help?
Let us forget about glass ceilings for a minute and believe that everyone is capable of being CEO or director of their favoured company – yes I know that this is pretending we are in some tospy turvy land. But if you are in a position that has the potential for upward mobility then you should think about the most appropriate way to approach this task.
Being Nice
Being nice/respectful/sucking up to your boss is usually a good start. Although this is good, it should be teamed with a show of intelligence, good work, a solid backbone and reliability. You need to find a balance so she actually become mobile and do not get taken for granted.
Being Too Nice
Being s sycophant can only get you so far. If you take being nice to far you could be considered weak, spineless and without credibility.
Being Naughty (risqué or risky)
Also if you decide to take the ‘flirtaecously’ nice route, then you could end up with the ‘slept her way to the top’ label – something that you might think is ok if you are taking the ‘being naughty’ method.
Being Naughty (underhanded)
Remember the saying, ‘remember how you treat others on your way up…’ It might be ok to be a ‘little’ devious, in terms of making sure that certain bosses know your capabilities. But don’t be too underhanded about it, because if you aggravate you own boss or colleagues on the way up, you might end up burning bridges and other potential opportunities.
It is always best to take a solid route with promotions, in order to sustain your position within the workplace.
