SUCCESS RULE #33 - Never Cover Up for Someone Else

 

Being extraordinarily successful at what you do means that you have the highest of standards for yourself and others. When you do, you may come across others who won’t have your standards and will try to bring you down to their level or involve you in their games. Don’t put up with it. Never get involved with covering for someone else’s poor performance or behavior.

If you decide to cover up for others it will complicate your life. Who do you cover for? Your friends? Those who have authority over you?  Or just anyone who asks? Do you cover up just the little things or do you allow for big issues? Does a little cover up suck you into a bigger one? What will you say when you get caught? What will you tell your family when you are fired? All for what?  Someone else?

You don’t cover up because you don’t lie, cheat or steal - nor tolerate those who do. It really is that simple. The decision is an easy one – if you live by your success rules. People already know where you stand. You’ve lived by these success rules and conducted your life as such. If you are approached, be assertive and with confidence simply say ‘No’.  The first time may be difficult, awkward perhaps, however it becomes easier and your reputation will be set in that you do not involve yourself with these things.

Your challenge however will be dealing with the emotional blackmail that often comes with your refusal to play their game. This too is easier once you realize, simply by asking you, this person does not have your best interest at heart.

Just remember, a real friend, and others with extraordinary character such as yourself, won’t ask in the first place.

You’re Awesome. Be Extraordinary!

Success Rule # 32 - Don't Lie

“I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you.” – Friedrich Nietzsche.

Lying and untruths is never a good thing. Even “small white lies” sets the stage for doubt and distrust. When we lie nothing good comes of it either. Oh there may be some short term gain but at what expense? Must you involve others in your cover-up? How much time must you spend in crafting a story? To prevent future recrimination or embarrassment will you have to tell another, maybe bigger lie?

Lying and untruths is never a good thing. Even "small white lies" sets the stage for doubt and distrust. When

we lie nothing good comes of it either. Oh there may be some short term gain but at what expense? Must you involve others in your cover-up? How much time must you spend in crafting a story? To prevent future recrimination or embarrassment will you have to tell another, maybe bigger lie?

Late for work, blame it on the traffic or an accident. Instead take responsibility. If it's chronic, the lies are going to dry up. Leave earlier. You say you understand when you don't. It's a lie. You don't want to look silly or stupid so you say you do. Then you get it wrong and look more foolish. Simply explain you want to do an excellent job, and ask for clarification. You'll be appreciated for it. "I'd be happy to", you say. It's a lie. You're not happy to do it, you're up to your eyeballs and it's just one more, "Would you mind" on your plate. Perhaps learning to say no without burning bridges is in order, versus over committing and under delivering.
 

Some lies may even go undetected. These are the worst. Perhaps an embellishment of who you are or what you've done. As a retired military member, I learn of individuals who steal the honor of those who served by lying about their role in the military, medals they've never earned, jobs they've never held. There is no honor in lying. In truth these undiscovered lies have a greater capacity to erode who we really are, our self-esteem - our very self-worth.

Lying is hard. Telling the truth is easy. When you tell the truth you don't have to keep track of what you said. No need to spend time crafting a story, figuring out what you're going to say to whom. Decisions are easier. No need to think about what to lie about, just tell the truth. No real thought, no uncomfortable choices, no guilt, no fear, no recrimination, no embarrassment. It's healthier, no stress, and no anxiety of being caught.
 

Finally when you are known for telling the truth, you will have the respect of others. Others will seek you out for your advice and you won't be asked to cover up for someone else.

When we deceive others it is disrespectful, difficult and complicated
... it is the most personal act of cowardice there is. It cost a lot to maintain a lie, whereas the truth is free.

The truth never changes . . . or does it?

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Be Extraordinary!

Success Rule # 31 - Take Care of Your Success

No one cares more about your career than you do. Not your spouse, not your supervisor, manager or your senior leadership. Don’t get me wrong, if they’re extraordinary leaders they will care, but never more than you. It’s the old adage - If you don’t care enough to be concerned about your own success, why would anyone else?

Most of the people we interact with will be good people, caring, helpful and if asked supportive. Unfortunately there are also those who are miserable, the ones who make life difficult, jealous coworkers, who given the opportunity, will stab you in the back and be your nemesis. Fortunately, truth be told, there aren’t a lot of these miserable people around, only about a dozen in the whole country. However, they move around .  .  .  A LOT! So you may have come across one or two, but don’t worry, it’s extremely rare that you will cross paths with all twelve of them. Don’t be afraid of them but do be aware one maybe lurking nearby.

As you experience more success in your life you will also attract the attention of both leadership, supporters and your detractors. They will come disguised as supervisors, coworkers, friends and family. For extraordinary success, continue to develop a network of supporters and friends and minimize contact with those who are toxic and negative, or worse hostile and who may not have your best interest at heart. This includes supervisors who may be threatened by your success or because of your success, will try and hold you back because “you’re too valuable to the team”. Co-workers may be threatened by your success due to their own agenda, or perhaps jealousy, concern for changes your success might bring, or opposing values. Family or friends who guilt you into mediocrity because success is turning you in to “one of them”. Your success is their failure. 

In all cases you must maintain your integrity, continue to focus on the overall mission, and practice interpersonal and effective communication skills that compliment your success. You don’t want to become “one of them” and step on others to get ahead. At the same time you don’t want to be drug down, taken advantage of, or stepped all over either. You are instead the standard in which all others will be judged and others will judge themselves. You are the compass others will follow.

Be Extraordinary!

Success Rule # 30 - Maintain a Success Portfolio

A success portfolio is simply a way to provide evidence of your productivity. Why is this important? First, it is a constant reminder of, and accountability to, your success. If you've followed these rules and tools, you will recall the first rule is, Success . . . it's everything you think it is. Success builds confidence, confidence leads to success, and success builds . . . well you get the picture.

Secondly it's a resource to refer back to, not only so as to improve on previous successes, but also to be able to refer back to when it's time for your review. Ideally one would expect an immediate supervisor to be aware and knowledgeable of what we've accomplished over the past year when it comes time for our annual review. The truth of the matter is they typically don't know what you've done for the past few months, much less for the past year. Instead your review becomes simply a snapshot of the past several weeks versus a compilation of the whole year .  .  .  unless you have a success portfolio.

With a well-constructed success portfolio you can either provide it to your supervisor, bring it with you for your review, or use it yourself and write an "executive" overview to give to your reviewer. I first learned this technique in its simplest form as a young Lieutenant in the Air Force. My supervisor called me in to go over my Officer Performance Report. I was totally taken aback by the lack of information he had written about me. It was at that moment I realized no one cares more about my career than I do. From that point forward I kept a log of all my projects, accomplishments, letters of appreciation and anything I felt important enough to record or keep. Never again did I receive a poorly written review.

It is said luck isn't anything more than when preparation meets opportunity. In other words, we create our own luck by being prepared. You're at a business card exchange, a cocktail party or industry conference and during conversations you meet someone who is interested in your work, your services, or can perhaps further your career. You arrive at a follow-up meeting with your success portfolio, or you send one via email, it may just get you that new job or client you were looking for. Click here for additional tips on creating a Success Portfolio that Rocks!!!  

Be Extraordinary!

 

TIPS FOR CREATING A SUCCESS PORTFOLIO

 

WHY SUCCESS PORTFOLIOS WORK

Success portfolios work so well because:
* They provide tangible evidence of your productivity. By contrast, most applicants base their employment pitches solely on uncorroborated promises of their productivity. In other words, actions speak louder than words.
* Employment pitches that feature impressive materials appeal to multiple senses. Therefore, they are more vivid and memorable than oral pitches alone.
* Your competition probably won't take the time and trouble to create a success portfolio. Therefore, your success portfolio will help you prove to interviewers that you are more organized and thoughtful than other applicants.
* Your portfolio will leave your interviewers with an indelible impression that will linger long after you have left the interview.

 

WHAT YOUR SUCCESS PORTFOLIO SHOULD LOOK LIKE

Your success portfolio should be a portfolio with pockets that holds a well-formatted, hard-copy version of your resume, your business card, and a sample of documents that validate your relevant successes. If your achievements involve the Web, you may bring a device with an Internet connection with your relevant Web sites bookmarked, so that you can easily show them during your interview. However, if you choose this method, be sure to have a back-up plan in case you do not have an Internet connection in your interview office.
Some tips on creating an impressive hard-copy success portfolio:
* When you're invited to an interview, ask for each interviewer's name and title. If possible, provide each interviewer with his or her own portfolio that is labeled with their name and leave it with him or her when you leave the interview. Bring extra copies of your portfolio for unanticipated readers.
* Emphasize key text in the portfolio with a highlighter. Label and annotate your materials so they are self-explanatory to hiring managers who may review your portfolio after the interview is over. Identify your contributions to group projects.
* During your interview, artfully weave your success portfolio into the conversation. Introduce your portfolio with pride and confidence but without cockiness.
* Remember: preparing an impressive portfolio is time-consuming. So don't leave its preparation to the last minute.

 

TYPES OF DOCUMENTS TO INCLUDE IN YOUR SUCCESS PORTFOLIO

* Excellent performance evaluations; praising emails from managers, colleagues or clients; evaluations from conferences, trainings or other events you helped organize; major awards and their justifications; and written recommendations from your references.
* Writing samples, such as reports, articles, newsletters, press releases and associated press clips.
* Print-outs of PowerPoint presentations you prepared or delivered.
* Programs from events you organized or conferences that featured your work.
* Explanatory maps, charts and photographs.
* Samples of artwork or manufactured products that you helped produce.
* Students and recent grads: your transcripts, copies of your relevant papers (preferably with praising comments from professors) or a list of your relevant courses or papers that received high grades.

Copyright 2012
Rules and Tools for Success
Leader Development Institute, www.LDiWorld.com, 888-474-8534