CONTENTS

Introduction THE HARD TRUTH ABOUT SOFT SKILLS 1

One CONTROL YOURSELF 7

Knowing yourself is as important as knowing

how to do the job.

There’s no such thing as work-life balance,

only trade-offs.

Years of loyalty can work against you.

Listen to your gut—it’s full of data.

No risks, no rewards.

Get out of your own way.

Learn the honest truth about integrity.

You have to be good to be lucky.

Two GETTING THE JOB DONE 31

Your boss wants you to figure it out.

Learn when to stick and when to shift or the

details will hang you.

When you can’t deliver, don’t say yes . . . but

be careful how you say no.

Your procrastination is trying to tell you

something.

Whining is for kids . . . and even then, no one

wants to hear it.

Manage your meetings . . . or else.

Common sense is far too uncommon.

Three WHE N YOU OPEN YOUR MOUTH . . .

AND THEN SOME 51

Listening is part art, part science, and all

important.

Adjust your communication accordingly.

Say the magic words: please, thank you, and I’m

sorry.

Keep your mouth shut.

Get smart about asking dumb questions.

Learn how to present without needing betablockers.

Four HANDLING YOUR CRITICS 69

Books are judged by their covers and the same

is true for you.

Don’t be the last one to find out how you’re

doing.

Never tolerate a bully boss—even if you have

to quit.

You don’t need to be everyone’s best friend—

that’s what dogs are for.

Your greatest tormentor might prove to be

your greatest teacher.

Know where to draw the line between selfimprovement

and self-destruction.

Stay cool in the hot seat.

Five WHAT, ME POLITICAL? 91

Learn the unspoken rules of your workplace.

Two heads are better than one, so find a

mentor.

Don’t let the fear of “sucking up” hold you

back.

When it comes to gossip, learn the art of

deflection.

Think long and hard about going over your

boss’s head.

Manage your affairs: kiss with caution!

Six BRANDING AND BRAGGING 109

Think of yourself as a cereal brand.

Turn your accomplishments into a story.

Tooting your own horn isn’t just for

performance reviews.

You’re only as good as your last movie, so keep

your brags fresh.

Put the right words in their mouths.

Keep your visibility when you’re not face-toface.

Stop credit thieves in their tracks.

Seven HOT BUTTONS:

GENDER, GENERATION, AND CULTURE 131

Don’t take it personally.

Raise your sensitivity antenna.

Competition is a double-edged sword.

Find the silver lining.

Stop stereotypes from sinking you.

Eight LEAD ING THE TROOPS 151

Know what you’re getting into.

A good manager knows when to lead.

Avoid being a know-it-all, say-it-all, controlit-

all kind of boss.

People aren’t mind readers.

You’re the boss, stupid, that’s why they hang

on your every word.

Treat everyone equally.

The impostor syndrome will follow you up

the ladder.

A little humility takes you a long way.

Afterword DON’T SKIP YOUR SOFT SKILLS 175

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 181

INDEX 183

About the Author

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