I have had the pleasure of working 40+ years in R&D. In my life, I have had the honor or working with a couple of "superior intelligences', these are people one step above genius.
The individuals I have met, are generally shy, introverted, but very respectful and kind. However, if one is stupid enough to challenge them - it will end very, very badly. They are 2-4 moves ahead of you, at every point. Treat them with the due respect, honor your word, do what is asked, give credit where due - and they will remember you.
Do the opposite, and you are road kill. You won't know you terminated your own career, until it's too late. It's just not that hard, to play as a team, and keep your integrity.
I have received several awards at work, some with respectable monetary reward or extra vacation days. In addition to several other positive benefits, such as people being more than willing to help in a quick manner when I need to pull them in on something, etc. I think it has played a big part in me being promoted to higher positions as well.
I can attribute all of that to just being a generally nice and helpful person. Life is much more difficult if you're a dickhead to everyone. Golden rule and all that.
Isn't it amazing how few people don't seem to grasp that idea? My advice to those starting their careers, is "you have some influence what your conversation with your manager is going to be, you can be the person who engages and passes on important information (good and bad) directly to him; or be the person who is on the defensive."
If you mess up, and odds are at some time you will; explain what lead you to make the call you made, take responsibility for the screw up, learn from it and move on. If you have a success, let your boss know that things went well. Either way, he's going to find out.
I have had the pleasure of working 40+ years in R&D. In my life, I have had the honor or working with a couple of "superior intelligences', these are people one step above genius. The individuals I have met, are generally shy, introverted, but very respectful and kind. However, if one is stupid enough to challenge them - it will end very, very badly. They are 2-4 moves ahead of you, at every point. Treat them with the due respect, honor your word, do what is asked, give credit where due - and they will remember you. Do the opposite, and you are road kill. You won't know you terminated your own career, until it's too late. It's just not that hard, to play as a team, and keep your integrity.
Just being nice and helpful is a great short cut to long term career building.
I have received several awards at work, some with respectable monetary reward or extra vacation days. In addition to several other positive benefits, such as people being more than willing to help in a quick manner when I need to pull them in on something, etc. I think it has played a big part in me being promoted to higher positions as well.
I can attribute all of that to just being a generally nice and helpful person. Life is much more difficult if you're a dickhead to everyone. Golden rule and all that.
Isn't it amazing how few people don't seem to grasp that idea? My advice to those starting their careers, is "you have some influence what your conversation with your manager is going to be, you can be the person who engages and passes on important information (good and bad) directly to him; or be the person who is on the defensive."
If you mess up, and odds are at some time you will; explain what lead you to make the call you made, take responsibility for the screw up, learn from it and move on. If you have a success, let your boss know that things went well. Either way, he's going to find out.