The first thing you do is hunt the winners down. Find the best of the best in your department or company-wide and ask questions: How long did it take you to get promoted? What are your responsibilities? What skills do I need to do this job? Ask tons of questions.
The problem is people don't want to do the hard jobs. They want to jump straight into the CEO's chair. You have to earn the right.
During your takeover you have to get uncomfortable. Here are the 10 things you must do first.
- Change your crowd at work. Seek out the responsible, educated, higher-earning people. Ask someone you would like to model what book they recommend. Create the uncomfortable conversation.
- Leave the gossip at the door. You never hear a CEO at the water cooler tearing down coworkers. Gossip is an employee pastime and it will be your downfall if you don't end it now.
- Appearance. Be the best-looking whatever you are. Clean clothes, cut hair, clean nails. Look like you care about yourself.
- Don't hang out with coworkers. Cut the office get-togethers. Remove yourself from the small crowd doing average things.
- Take lunch away from the crowd. Read or walk on your breaks. Disappear.
- Schedule recurring time with your manager. Not because you want to move up — because you no longer want to punch a clock. You want money you can invest in yourself and your own business. You have a plan.
- Take free online courses in communication, negotiation and sales.
- Don't buy lunch at work. Bring home-cooked meals. Resisting a $10 lunch makes you look in charge of your time — and leaves you richer and healthier.
- Do not complain. Not one word of whining. You hate your boss? Nobody knows and nobody cares. If you're around complainers, move.
- Never share anything personal. Keep it 100% work related.
Just by implementing these 10 steps you are already crushing it at work. Now start implementing business strategies.