The Rules: 4 Rules for success

George had over 100, Martha had 10, Colin had 13 … how about just four?

Never, never, always, always. As a greedy contractor or a lazy fed, I reduced all my lessons learned into just four rules that guided me to success and survival in this nutty town. I am often asked for the list, so I created this image of the four rules for easy reference.

If you click on the image associated with this post, you can save it, print it, frame it. (Feel free to share it, but please include the fine print that says where it came from.)

Below are links to each article for those who want more context.

1. Never piss off the powerful

• If you don’t know who that is, it is everyone.

• When someone important is driven to anger by your actions, the decision on “what to do about you” is taken out of your supervisor’s hands.

2. Never build yourself up by tearing someone else down

• You never know who they will grow up to be. If they become the boss, you are screwed.

• This is the hardest rule, professions that have trouble with this rule: politicians, comedians, and lawyers. 

• Taking the high road is hard on your knees, but the view is worth it.

3. Always appear to be willing and able

• The operative word is appear.
• Let your boss be the one to say no.

4. Always no surprises

• Your boss should learn it from you before they learn it from anyone else.

• A good way to avoid breaking the other rules.

-AR

© Aron Ruthe, 2016

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