Notes to Share

I got this from my Coaching Course Whatsapp Group. Pasting it here so that I can read this again 😊 I didn't write these ok 

I spent close to 5 years of my career by working mostly in corporate Malaysia. The corporate world is tough, mean, demanding, and rewarding. It's a pathway for not many people especially in this era filled with startups, SMEs, and family businesses. Corporate giants such as MNC & public listed are just peculiar breeds. Here are the harsh lessons the corporate world has taught me.

1. If you have a soft emotion,corporate isn't the best place for you. To climb the ladder, you must be loud, aggressive and at times selfish. If you work silently, it may go unnoticed. It's just a competitive world with limited positions.

2. You're paid to provide solutions not just to highlight the problems. The more problems you can solve, the more valuable you are to the company.

3. Your co-workers and bosses are most likely wearing 'masks' in office hence you see a different side of them during lunch breaks and Friday night drinks.

4. The person who claims to know everything actually knows the least.

5. If your manager micromanages you, it means you aren't efficient. If he/she still micromanages you despite you feeling confident, then you have a toxic boss.

6. Working with a toxic/manipulative/ narcissistic manager will mentally damage you. It shatters your confidence and esteem. It's the worst thing ever. Never attempt to talk to change them. Just quit!

7. A salary is not an entitlement, but a reflection of contribution. It's a business deal. Neither of you are doing each other any favor. Organisations run a business not a charity.

8. Never rely on your company to make you grow. Invest in your own time and money to enhance your skills. If you're not growing inside, you won't grow within the company and ultimately your career.

9. You can never run away from office politics, instead learn how to deal with it.

10. Work is never-ending. You go to work today for tomorrow's tasks. Take sick leave if you're sick. Use your paid leaves. Learn to go back on time. The company can still function without you.

11. Working beyond 6 pm just to impress your superiors is stupid.

12. If you don't believe in the company's vision, missions and culture just quit the office.

13. Follow up. Make connections everywhere from clients to suppliers. Ask around. Make yourself noticeable. Your networking can be more powerful than your knowledge especially in Malaysia's developing economy.

14. Learn to say no and accept rejections. You're not stupid for having your campaign proposal turned down during the first meeting. If you can't take rejections or criticisms well, you will suffer in corporate.

15. Sell yourself, sell your ideas but never oversell. When you oversell yourself, you start to create expectations and expectations can lead to disappointments.

16. Your bosses have bosses to impress too. Your company has shareholders, stakeholders, customers and policymakers to impress too.

17. Master the art of storytelling. No point in having a good idea but not being able to articulate it. I learnt this the hard way. Watching TED talks and reading books on negotiation helps.

18. The first 5 years of your career are essentially training so don't worry if you are not at your peak yet. But if after 5 years you're still stuck, it's time to make critical decisions.

19. 90% of emails are unnecessary so don't spend too much time crafting the 'perfect' emails. 99% of team meetings are never fruitful. Meetings are done to see who can be heard.

20. Performance reviews can be useless and awkward. You may do well but you may get a 3-star rating instead of 4 because your boss is afraid of being questioned. The slackers and gossipers will get rated 3 as well. It's unfair but this is reality.

Credit: @Ryan Nesh

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