"The transition from college to adult life is treacherous, and this is nowhere more visible than among new college graduates in their first real jobs." Thus spake Charles Murray, the controversial social historian. A few years ago, he reports in a Wall Street Journal column, he took it upon himself to start writing tips for the young staff where he works about how to avoid doing things that would make their supervisors write them off. As he points out, at senior levels of an organization there are curmudgeons everywhere, judging a young worker's every move. It is their good opinion–not those of their peers–that newly employed college grads need to win if they hope to get ahead.
Murray's WSJ column was, in effect, touting his new book ["The Curmudgeon's Guide to Getting Ahead: Dos and Don'ts of Right Behavior, Tough Thinking, Clear Writing, and Living a Good Life,"] that's more about his take on how to live a good life (marry young; take religion seriously). His curmudgeonly pointers on demeanor for workplace success–also included in the book–are worth passing along to where the shoe might pinch.
- Excise the word “like” from your spoken English
- Don’t suck up
- Stop “reaching out” and “sharing”
- Rid yourself of piercings, tattoos, and weird hair colors
- Make strong language count
"Like" or not these words of wisdom, feel free to reach out and share them.
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