Having read 787 business advice books, Sarah Watney, an ultra-analyst at Chicago’s Millington Group, believed she had memorized every “do” and “don’t” necessary to advance her career. Last March 16, as she stood at the complimentary espresso machine chatting with colleagues, CEO Mike Harderman walked past and nodded at her.
She immediately turned and punched him in the nose.
“I swear I read it’s something you do,” says Watney, who has since left Millington. “Obviously it’s something you don’t.”
According to business behaviorist Dr. Mona Reemer – author of Making the Most of Your Corporate You – the average up-and-comer reads 198 business advice books per year. So sometimes things get mixed up.
“People end up synthesizing synergies instead of synergizing syntheses,” she says. “Or benchmarking priorities instead of prioritizing benchmarks.” Many others dot T’s and cross I’s, or stay inside their comfort zones, all thinking they’re doing the right thing.
That’s why she says it’s vital to read, re-read, and fully comprehend every do and don’t.
“More than one book has advocated ‘do’ kill your rival with kindness,” she says. “If you miss the ‘with kindness’ part, that’s an entirely different action and could result in a significant career disadvantage.”
