RULES OF WORK

Quote from the Book

“Learn to see opportunity as balls – if they get thrown your way you have but a split second to catch them” (p.65)

The Author

Richard Templar is the pen name of this British author who has written several self-development books. He shares his “path to success” in a series of books, in which 100 simple “Rules” are presented to achieve success: be it in business, money, or life in general.Rules are typically presented on two pages, making the books easy to read, and suitable for dipping into at random. The books contain the distinctive use of British English. One reviewer writes that Templar’s style is in neither of the “iron fisted” or “fuzzy warm” camps prevalent in American management books, but mixes both.He died in 2006.

Insights from the Book

For some people, work is a breeze: they glide effortlessly through all the office politics and backstabbing, always saying and doing the right thing, getting raises, getting promotions, getting results. What do they know that everyone else doesn’t? The Rules of Work. Those rules are surprisingly easy to learn — and once you know them, they’re equally easy to live by. Now, Richard Templar’s brought them all together in one place: the quick, irreverent The Rules of Work: A Definitive Guide to Personal Success. Templar doesn’t just show you how to LOOK more effective: he shows you how to BE more effective in today’s workplace environments. Discover how to get ahead without compromising your principles; how to project the air of confidence and energy that wins respect; how to carve out a powerful niche for yourself; how to handle conflict without alienating the warriors; how to read your corporate culture; when to speak and when to remain silent; when to stay late and when to leave early; and how to capitalize on the key moments that can supercharge your career.

As usual, Richard captured these 100 rules under ten titles namely: Walk your talk; Know that you’re being judged at all times; have a plan; if you can’t say anything nice–shut up; look after yourself; blend in; act one step ahead; cultivate diplomacy; know the system–and milk it; and handle the opposition. This is what Sir Antony Jay says about the book: “Truly, the rules of work is an eye-opener for all those who would like to rise to the top but don’t seem to be able to find the map.”