Page 83 - Executive Warfare

Bosses

a go-between—be discreet about it—and you’ll win the loyalty of a lot of
potential risers.
This is so important because if you are doing a good job for your boss,
that boss may well try to hang onto you in your current position. Nobody
gives up a top-notch person just because it’s the right thing for the
employee. I’ll bet that doesn’t even happen in the Vatican.
If you are top-notch, your boss will probably only give you up if you are
otherwise going to leave the organization—or if she is ordered to, or if
another power in your organization offers her an interesting deal for you.
So having that outside network may well be the key to your ascent.

BEWARE THE MENTOR
Unless your boss is very, very strong, he is likely to have moments of para-
noia as you gain power and he suddenly feels your hot breath at the back
of his neck.
Nothing is more frightening to most bosses than the idea that some-
one they have brought along might become their equal—or even surpass
them and become their boss. “That’s the guy who used to wait outside
with a cup of coffee while I dictated to my secretary. He is now telling me
what to do?” They know it means they
are now obsolete.
BE A GO-
And that sense of jealousy and
BETWEEN—BE
betrayal is most acute when they are
DISCREET ABOUT
emotionally invested in you. So beware
IT—AND YOU’LL
the mentor. He brings you along, and in
WIN THE LOYALTY
return, he expects lifelong fealty. “I
OF A LOT OF
found you. I gave you promotions. How
POTENTIAL RISERS.
could you possibly disagree with me?
How could you possibly leave me? How
could you possibly rise to my level and keep me awake nights with the fear
that someday I might have to work for you?”

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