Rules You Never Learned in School

Building a career takes more than knowledge of programming, project management, or other traditional tech skills. There are any number of people-oriented traits that separate those who continue to move upward and those who remain stuck in neutral year after year—but good luck finding a class to teach these skills. In a new, expanded version of his book, The Rules of Work (FT Press/now available), author Richard Templar explores some of the ways that professionals can make themselves more valuable when they're not focusing on their core duties. It's not simply about getting along with others and sucking up to superiors. It's about presenting yourself as a well-rounded, focused, energized professional, and it's about avoiding classic bad behaviors and casting the most positive impression upon others that you can. You could be the Peyton Manning of IT integration but if you indulge in sloppy personal behaviors, you risk your career. There are 108 rules in Templar's updated book. Here are 15 that we liked: