Be visible and prominent - and get promoted

Already in one of my first jobs I got advices from an American colleague, whom I shared an office with:

1.  Always having a pencil in your hand so people think you're just out to get somebody information to finish a report
2.  Always wear your jacket - it makes you look a bit more imortant than most of the guys around andre
3.  Always walk fast - at least as your own boss
4.  Hold your head up and smile to every body - They all like it and it makes you look optimist, positive and full of energy

- And you can laugh at that ...

Later I made it a habit to walk down the hall in the morning on one of the other floors - simply to be seen. Later, as a decentralized placed at least once a week to walk around the headquarters.

- And that can you also laugh at ...

The fact is however that how frivolous it may be, you get plus points just by being seen. This study from M.I.T. shows how important it is to be there.

The most successful (in the traditional value scale sense) people admit also that "it was all a bit of a coincidence" - "being in the right place at the right time." It will very rarely be home, I think!

I have complete respect for anyone who says they would rather be without promotion, if it happens on so frivolous basis, but it is important to remember that leadership and leadership skills is a subjective thing.