The Unspoken rules of the Workplace

Today I will talk about the unspoken rules of the workplace from the book the Litchi Road.

This book came highly recommended by a friend of mine about how an ordinary minor official Mr. Lee in the Tang Dynasty overcame the many traps at the workplace and redeemed himself in the face of unsurmountable adversity to accomplish mission impossible. Transport fresh Litchi over 5000 miles in 11 days to Chang’e the capital city before the age of refrigeration, circus 631 AD. The workplace golden rules are :

1. Those with the least to say usually end up with the most daunting job (no recognition, low payout) in the department

2. In the workplace people seldom empathize with others, most would earnestly avoid the worst fate of those bullied by the management

3. Your bosses are not above lies and deceptions to back you in a corner on a job, knowing it is not a reasonable task

4. Need to force yourself to focus on the tasks and rise above the occasion to complete the job, after the initial shock and dismay.

5. Changes to the scope of work on a whim from the customers or your bosses are fairly common and no matter how distressed you are by it, don’t show them before the job is done.

6. Use the power trend (or power dynamic) in your department to your advantage, don’t be shy about catching the power wind which way it is blowing

7. Just before you succeed, you will be the loneliest person in town and shunt by all your supporters and co-workers

8. You will not go very far if you hog all the credits, spread them around will get you genuine supporters to your cause

9. Stand up for your principles and your humility, after you earned the credit

In conclusion, whether 631 AD or present, always remember you have to protect your family and the principles you lived by at the end of the day.