More bite-sized text-messages of Mentoring Advice from almost a year ago (cf. Ementor Emantras for earlier suggestions) — tips that may help a person get ahead in a large organization:

• #eMentor #15: four important factors for long-term success: Motivation * Expertise * Teamwork * Initiative
• #eMentor: Urgent is not always important. Fence off time every week for important long-term things: self-improvement, exercise, reading, ...
• #eMentor: Optimize! Seek out the best, learn from the best, work for the best, do your best, and when you're the boss hire the best
• #eMentor: There are two Big Rules that apply throughout your career. First, always keep something in reserve.
• #eMentor: Career = what you know (skills) + who you know (contacts) + who you are (character)
• #eMentor: your Hall File (aka reputation) is far more important than your official personnel folder — try to be a helpful person to all
• #eMentor: Don't embarrass anybody (especially not your boss!)
• #eMentor #22: Practice your "Elevator Speech" - be able to summarize important ideas in 20 seconds for busy customers
• #eMentor: If you were in the room when it happened, you get credit for it! — on your annual performance report, resume, etc.
• #eMentor #24: The decades are short, but the hours are long. Take time to celebrate small successes with colleagues along the way.
• #eMentor #25: if you come in early or work late (or weekends) be sure to post memos or leave sticky notes or otherwise let everybody know!

... plus a few newer thoughts:

• See one, do one, teach one
• No panics, no surprises, no enemies (cf. Big Lessons)
• On the schedule, allow 3 times as long to do anything as it should take
• Reward good questions; turn bad questions into good ones
• Never surprise the boss during a public meeting
• Apply amnesia appropriately
• It's OK to argue in private, not in front of senior management

_{^z - 2012-04-10}