Don't make a fool of yourself

The instruction “do not make a fool of yourself” appears obvious. Clearly, don’t make yourself look stupid. However there is a more subtle side to this. Only with the Hitler and the Krushchev is there any mileage in trying to make yourself look good.

With all other types, they will ignore/forget if you say something intelligent, but notice and maybe even remember if you say something foolish. Because of the potential difference in grade/perspective/age between you and them, what appears intelligent to you may well appear foolish in their eyes. It is very easy to chip in a pert remark in a meeting, only to find all eyes focussed on you while the Superior in question expresses an alternative view which makes your remark look extremely naïve.

Be extra careful with the Thatcher, who will follow up the foolishness, and with the Saddam who may well simply order your execution afterwards (or in corporate speak, become a block to your chances of promotion within the next decade or two).

This leads on to a related point. Superiors are unlikely to be directly involved in any discussions about your pay, grade or general opportunities. They do, however, tend to have to sign any changes off. And if you make a fool of yourself, they won’t; at the very least they will obstruct or delay it, and may well have the power to block your chances permanently. On the other hand, even if they remember anything positive you might have done in their presence, it is not going to lead to a corresponding “seems good, I think we should even give her another couple of thousand over and above the recommended figure” type of response. They are not involved in the evaluation, only in the yes/no decision at the end.

So, when the Superior is around:

- speak when spoken to

- be brief, and stick to the party line

- do not try to stand out

- be seen and not heard
- and above all, don't end up looking a fool... unless you have a cunning plan

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