Success at Work : Techniques : Get Ahead by Faking It
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Success at Work : Techniques : Get Ahead by Faking It
By Stephen Bucaro
Are you working in a "no stretch" organization? To succeed
at work, you need to "stretch" your capabilities. You need
to perform tasks above your skill level, tasks you've never
done before. In a no stretch organization, workers are
assigned only tasks they've done before.
Because you have no experience in a task, you're not
assigned that task. Because you're not assigned that task,
you have no experience in that task. Because you have no
experience in that task ...
- Well run organizations make a deliberate effort to give
their employees assignments that require them to stretch.
If you work in such an organization, there's no need to
continue reading this article.
You can break the cycle of stagnation by faking it. When
your boss asks if you've done a task before, mumble
something ambiguous like "yeh - easy shot". That's right,
outright lie to your boss.
- Disclaimer: I am not recommending this technique to
doctors or airline pilots (although I have no doubt they
use it).
You say you would never lie at work? But you did lie. The
first time you entered the door for the job interview, you
pretended to be interested in the "work" when in reality
you just wanted to know how much they pay and how much
vacation you would get, didn't you?
- The ultimate fake; hundreds of people in corporate
executive positions were discovered to have fake degrees.
If you accept an assignment above your capabilities and
fail to produce results, you could be fired. But in most
cases, you will be able to "stretch" your skills and
complete the task successfully. As a result, you will
advance in your career. In any case, if you're in a "no
stretch" organization, what do you have to lose?
- In this article, you'll learn techniques to succeed by
faking it.
- It's very common for freelancers and experts to take on
tasks beyond their capability. They don't consider it to
be faking, they call it "confidence".
Recognize When NOT to Fake It
How much do you have to stretch to accomplish the task? Is
the task so far beyond your skill level that there is no
way you could stretch enough to perform even a minimally
acceptable job? If so, wait for a different opportunity to
fake it.
What are the possible consequences for the organization if
you fail to perform the task adequately. Would they be
exposed to a high level of liability? Might they lose a
multi-million dollar contract? If so, wait for a different
opportunity to fake it.
How to Fake It
Faking it can mean learning to use a complicated computer
application or technology that you have no experience with.
For example, you might accept an assignment that requires
you to use a Computer Automated Drafting system (CAD).
Don't start by attempting the assigned task. First design
a few smaller practice projects.
Faking it can require an understanding your organization's
processes. For example, you accept an assignment that
requires you to write a specification. You'll need to get
a copy of the appropriate procedures manual. Sometimes the
most surreptitious source for this is a clerk or secretary.
- When attempting to conceal the fact that you're faking
it, one of your best sources of information may be a clerk
or secretary. You would be surprised how knowledgeable
these people are about how things get done in the
organization.
Faking it can mean managing a project or event when you
have no management experience. You might think "acting like
a boss" doesn't require any special skills. But if managing
the project requires the cooperation of other people,
you'll find that some people will be uncooperative.
To manage a project, you need to learn how to use a "pert"
chart and a "Gantt" chart, and how to manage a budget. If
team members feel that you have lost control and the
project is doomed to failure, everyone will abandon you.
- When attempting a task for the first time, it's important
to listen to other people's advice. You may not agree with,
or understand what they are saying, but they may have been
down this path before and can give the tip that will
prevent you from stumbling.
- When faking it, study previous work. Can you get copies
of the schedule used on the previous project of this type?
Can you get pictures of the previous product or event?
Can you get a copy of a similar specification? Don't
plagiarize someone else's work, just use it as an example.
To fake it, you'll be required to put in extra time,
usually your own time, to make up for your lack of
experience. That's the price you have to pay to succeed
in "no stretch" organization. It will be worth the extra
effort because next time this kind of task comes around,
you really will be experienced.
After you have successfully completed a task by faking
it, you' be ready to handle even greater assignments.
Tasks for which you have no experience. And you'll
receive those assignments and succeed in those tasks
- by faking it.
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Resource Box:
Copyright(C)2005 Bucaro TecHelp. To learn how to maintain
your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web
site and make money on the Web visit bucarotechelp.com
To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter visit
http://bucarotechelp.com/search/000800.asp
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About the Author
Copyright(C)2005 Bucaro TecHelp. To learn how to maintain
your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web
site and make money on the Web visit bucarotechelp.com
To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter visit
http://bucarotechelp.com/search/000800.asp