Don't Suck-Up; Suck-In

Don't Suck-Up; Suck-In

None of us like the office suck-up. He's the one that always tries to garner favored attention from the boss. Perhaps he takes credit for your work, or the team's work. He dresses like the boss. Flatters the boss. You get the picture.

While there is nothing inherently wrong with being that guy (or gal), it can certainly be annoying and even downright unproductive. For you.

So what can you do about it? No, nothing physical bordering violence (it is a nice image, though, right!?). It shouldn't be our goal to get rid of this guy. That would be, oh, I don't know, wrong!

My philosophy isn't to out-do anyone. I'm not much into competition in the workforce. I say, don't suck-up. Suck-in.

What does this mean?

Well, it means two things for me.

1) Physically -- suck in your stomach, my friend. Elongate your torso. Improve your posture. It makes you look confident. It doesn't take a scientist (seriously, folks, I'm not a scientist, but that would be cool) to know that if you look confident you will feel confident. Plus, your pants will fit better. I don't know about you, but I like it when my pants fit. All that holiday food...

2) Look Inside -- look in yourself to make yourself the best professional possible. Study up in your chosen field. Take extra college classes. Know your worth (Charley will go into this area pretty soon). You do not need to suck-up to your boss or colleagues to improve your lot in the office. Perhaps sucking-up is the easiest route. Perhaps it is a fun route (flirting, anyone?). But is it the correct route? Well, that's for you to decide.

Note: I do not equate being nice to people as being a suck-up. People -- be nice and polite to everyone. Everyone. Even the janitor. Because, in reality, the janitor knows more about your office and the people in it than you do. It's true.

What does Suck-In mean to you? Let me know in the comments section.