The Rules of Work: A definitive code for personal success

Richard Templar is the author of the international bestselling Rules books. Over 2 million people around the world have enjoyed and now play by Richard Templar's Rules. The complete list of titles is as follows: The Rules of Life, The Rules of Work, The Rules of Management, The Rules of Wealth, The Rules of Parenting, The Rules of Love, The Rules to Break, The Rules of People, The Rules of Thinking, and The Rules of Living Well.

• Walk your talk1 Get your work noticed2 Never stand still3 Volunteer carefully4 Carve out a niche for yourself5 Under promise and over deliver6 Learn to ask why7 Be 100 per cent committed8 Learn from others’ mistakes9 Enjoy what you are doing10 Develop the right attitude11 Be passionate but don’t kill yourself12 Manage your energy13 Never let anyone know how hard you work14 Keep your home life at homeKnow that you’re being judged at all times15 Cultivate a smile16 No limp fish – develop the perfect handshake17 Exude confidence and energy18 Develop a style that gets you noticed19 Pay attention to personal grooming20 Be attractive21 Be cool22 Speak well23 Write wellHave a plan24 Know what you want long term25 Know what you want short term26 Study the promotion system27 Develop a game plan28 Set objectives29 Know your role30 Know yourself – strengths and weaknesses31 Identify key times and events32 Anticipate threats33 Look for opportunities34 Make learning a lifelong missionIf you can’t say anything nice – shut up35 Don’t gossip36 Don’t bitch37 Stand up for others38 Compliment people sincerely39 Be cheerful and positive40 Ask questions41 Use ‘please’ and ‘thank you’42 Don’t swear43 Be a good listener44 Only speak senseLook after yourself45 Know the ethics of your industry46 Know the legalities of your industry47 Set personal standards48 Never lie49 Never cover up for anyone else50 Keep records51 Know the difference between the truth and the whole truth52 Cultivate your support/contacts/friends53 Date with caution54 Understand others’ motives55 Assume everyone else is playing by different rules56 Keep the faith57 Put things in perspectiveBlend in58 Know the corporate culture59 Speak the language60 Dress up or down accordingly61 Be adaptable in your dealings with different people62 Make your boss look good63 Know where to hang out, and when64 Understand the social protocols65 Know the rules about authority66 Know the rules about the office hierarchy67 Never disapprove of others68 Understand the herd mentalityAct one step ahead69 Dress one step ahead70 Talk one step ahead71 Act one step ahead72 Think one step ahead73 Address corporate issues and problems74 Make your company better for having you there75 Talk of ‘we’ rather than ‘I’76 Walk the walk77 Spend more time with senior staff78 Get people to assume you have already made the step79 Prepare for the step after nextCultivate diplomacy80 Ask questions in times of conflict81 Don’t take sides82 Know when to keep your opinions to yourself83 Be conciliatory84 Never lose your temper85 Never get personal86 Know how to handle other people’s anger87 Stand your ground88 Be objective about the situationKnow the system – and milk it89 Know all the unspoken rules of office life90 Know what to call everyone91 Know when to stay late and when to go early92 Know the theft or perks rule93 Identify the people who count94 Be on the right side of the people who count95 Be well up on new management techniques96 Know the undercurrents and hidden agendas97 Know the favourites and cultivate them98 Know the mission statement – and understand itHandle the opposition99 Identify the opposition100 Study them closely101 Don’t back-stab102 Know the psychology of promotion103 Don’t give too much away104 Keep your ear to the ground105 Make the opposition seem irreplaceable106 Don’t damn the opposition with faint praise107 Capitalise on the career-enhancing moments108 Cultivate the friendship and approval of your colleagues109 Know when to break the Rules