Bring more value than your compensation. Make it look like you are perpetually underpaid.

Take initiative.

Follow through - offer to do value-added tasks and then actually do them.

Be responsive.

Don't pretend you know more than you do. Saying "I am not sure about that - let me get back to you" is much more valuable to an employer than finding out later that what you said was wrong. (But actually find the answer and respond in a timely manner.)

Anonymous wrote:Do as told and keep your mouth shut.

Agreed, otherwise they will work the shit out of you, but if you've just got to have the spot light...

Anonymous wrote:In my office, it appears that ass-kissing, talking over others, being rude to those who serve no "purpose" to you, and pretending to know everything will get you pretty far.

And I ain't about to to do any of it!

Remember the "P.I.E." principle: getting ahead is about performance, image, and exposure. Make sure you are doing good work, you look and act the part in all ways, and are getting exposed to new opportunities and work that leads to advancement.

Ask for feedback from your manager and other senior leaders on how to be a strong performer. Get honest feedback, and work on the things that are mentioned.

Believe what you hear as valid in that, at least as a perception, it's out there, even if it isn't accurate in your head. For example, if they say you need to prep more for meetings, recognize that for some reason, you don't look prepared, even if you are.

Find a mentor who is in an adjacent department or team but not directly on your team. Someone who understands the company dynamics but is not impacted by whether you succeed or not. Get their honest assessment of how you can improve or what you can work on, and what your reputation and brand is.

Take initiative. Volunteer for projects and take complete ownership of them. Create efficiencies. Know the tools and processes better than anyone else.

And as a supervisor I can say: don't be a pain in my ass. Handle stuff. Don't complain. Never say "that isn't in my job description". Seriously. Never say that. You have no idea the convos going on at the top and you don't want to be on the radar as dead weight. Be indispensable.

1) Find a need or a problem and fill it
2) Don't be a dick.

Be proactive ( keep your mouth shut poster couldn't be more wrong)

Be responsive - to emails, calls etc

Be a team player - someone people like, always have people feeling they can trust you

By generating business in the private sector.

In government, by being responsive to constituent concerns and proactive.

In non-profit sector, by keeping the mission in mind at all times and leading initiatives that fulfill it.

In my office, it appears that ass-kissing, talking over others, being rude to those who serve no "purpose" to you, and pretending to know everything will get you pretty far.

Anonymous wrote:Do as told and keep your mouth shut.

See, I see that as deadweight. The stars are the people who do WAY more than they're told; they take initiative and predict what needs to be done before they're asked. They have ideas to improve efficiency and ops. And they don't keep their mouths shut--they exhibit good people skills (I'm not talking schmoozing, I'm talking "customer" service, regardless of whether the "customer" is the boss, a peer, or an external client).

Do as told and keep your mouth shut.

Take risks, learn to identify quickly when the direction is wrong.

Stars take risks for the higher rewards, but have to be able to quickly identify when something is not working. What I do is align with smart skeptics, so that if I can convince them, I am probably ok.

Clearly above average? This can be difficult when "average" is already very good. Also, not in an obnoxious way.