success in corporate america: the written and unwritten rules of the game
DESCRIPTION
Presented by: Shawn Simmons and Kimberly FickTRANSCRIPT
Success in Corporate America:
The Written and Unwritten
Rules of the Game
All opinions expressed are purely those of the speakers, not of the companies that they work for.
OVERVIEW
Panelist Bios
Rules of the Game
Unwritten Rules
Critical Success Factors
Q&A’s
All opinions expressed are purely those of the speakers, not of the companies that they work for.
SHAWN EMERSON SIMMONS Background
University of Oklahoma – BS PE ’93 Rice University – MS Environmental Engineering ‘99 Texas Southern University – PhD Environmental Toxicology ‘03 Full time with ExxonMobil since 2000
Experience
Apr ‘14 to present - Water, Waste and State Regulatory Manager
Aug ‘12- Apr ‘14 – ER&S Supervisor – Africa, Asia Pacific, Australia, Europe
Jul ’07 – ‘Aug ‘12 – E&R Supervisor, Lagos, Nigeria Jul ‘03 – Jul ‘07 – E&R Advisor, Nigeria Projects, Houston, TX Aug ’00 – Jul ‘03– Environmental Coordinator, Baytown Complex
Best “Game” Strategy: Follow up from time to time with key leaders and let them know what you are doing. Use a written note – it’s a lost art and people really appreciate and take notice that you took the time.
All opinions expressed are purely those of the speakers, not of the companies that they work for.
KIMBERLY FICK Background
Colorado School of Mines– BS ChE ’99 Penn State– MS ChE ‘01 Penn State– PhD ChE Alternative Diesel Fuels ‘04 Full time with ExxonMobil since 2004
Experience
July‘14 to present - Logistics Technology Section Head, Fairfax, VA
Jan ‘13- July ‘14- Refining Technology Advisor, Baytown, TX Jan ‘11 – May ‘12– Operations Supervisor, Baytown, TX Apr’09 – May ‘10 – Operations Supervisor, Baytown, TX Mar‘07– April ’09 – Application Engineer Supervisor, Baytown,
TX Aug ’04– Mar ‘07– Control Systems Engineer, Fairfax, VA
Best “Game” Strategy: Build your network – include those up, down, and lateral. You never know who may be able to help you/benefit from your help. I phone call or personal interaction will always get results faster than an email.
All opinions expressed are purely those of the speakers, not of the companies that they work for.
RULES OF THE GAME
It’s a Game It’s a contest with winners There is (intense) competition There are rules Everyone has a choice of moves
A series of well-planned, well-executed moves drives any player closer to success
At the same time, one serious miscalculation can sidetrack a career
All opinions expressed are purely those of the speakers, not of the companies that they work for.
RULES OF THE GAME
It’s Your Choice to Play the Game
Involves a series of increasingly difficult choices and tradeoffs
Tradeoffs may help you to choose to plateau your career at a certain level
The choice of moves is always yours No whining
All opinions expressed are purely those of the speakers, not of the companies that they work for.
THE RULES OF THE GAME
*P – I – E
Performance Image Exposure
“This isn’t your Grandma’s apple pie”
*Excerpt from “The Organizational Game Revealed” by Harvey Coleman
All opinions expressed are purely those of the speakers, not of the companies that they work for.
PIE – FORMULA FOR SUCCESS
Perform Exceptionally Well - 10%
Cultivate the Proper Image – 30%
Manage One’s Exposure to the Right People – 60%
Perform; 10%
Image; 30%
Exposure; 60%
All opinions expressed are purely those of the speakers, not of the companies that they work for.
IMAGE
From the moment you step on campus or into a new work environment, you are a visible expression of where you are in the culture, and where you expect to go.
Image includes: Personal expression The way you walk The way you sit The clothes you wear Your pleasant (or foul) demeanor
Your image says “I’m ready” or “I’m not ready” to play the game seriously.
Im-age; 30%
All opinions expressed are purely those of the speakers, not of the companies that they work for.
IMAGE
Your business wardrobe is very, very important to your career
Serious players dress at least one level above their present position
Dress denotes your ability to fit into “the club”
Im-age; 30%
All opinions expressed are purely those of the speakers, not of the companies that they work for.
EXPOSURE
Exposure is the element of the P-I-E formula that has the greatest impact on your career
It is extremely important to gain, maintain and enhance your visibility and exposure
You need to gain the exposure necessary to attract a mentor(s) and sponsor(s)
Exposure; 60%
All opinions expressed are purely those of the speakers, not of the companies that they work for.
UNWRITTEN RULES
Whomever is at the top of the pyramid has the right and responsibility to make the rules
… but you also need to understand who in your organization has influence
To get ahead, you must be pulled through the system by someone from a higher level – your sponsor
All opinions expressed are purely those of the speakers, not of the companies that they work for.
UNWRITTEN RULES
Pick your boss carefully (if you have the opportunity to do so)
Make your boss look good Never go to your boss with a problem
for which you have not considered a solution
All opinions expressed are purely those of the speakers, not of the companies that they work for.
UNWRITTEN RULES
You have to get the job done. Effectively getting the job done is a prerequisite to advancement
Don’t make excuses
Exposure is critical
Always be on your game whenever interacting with senior leaders
All opinions expressed are purely those of the speakers, not of the companies that they work for.
UNWRITTEN RULES
Networking – it’s who you know, not just what you know
People usually do business with people they like or with whom they feel comfortable, loyalty is a key trait
The game doesn’t always seem “fair” but, YOU can play to win !!!
All opinions expressed are purely those of the speakers, not of the companies that they work for.
CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
Hard Work (Efficiently!) Results Mentor Sponsor Leadership Image/Presentation of Self Loyalty and Commitment Strong Network and Relationships Take Calculated Risks & Try New Things
All opinions expressed are purely those of the speakers, not of the companies that they work for.
Q&A
All opinions expressed are purely those of the speakers, not of the companies that they work for.
RESOURCES Books
Empowering Yourself: The Organizational Game Revealed by Harvey Coleman
Ruderman, M.N. and Ohlott, P.J. (2002). Standing at the Crossroads: Next Steps for High-Achieving Women. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Women and Political Savvy By Jean Brittain Leslieand William A. Gentry, Ph.D. Center for Creative Leadership. October 2012.
Political Skill at Work: Impact on Work Effectiveness by Gerald R. Ferris, Sherry L. Davidson, Pamela L. Perrewt.
The Web
Jo Miller Blog: http://www.womensleadershipcoaching.blogspot.com/
Search Politics to bring up several articles on office politics
All opinions expressed are purely those of the speakers, not of the companies that they work for.