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This is such a key insight. Coming from a lower-middle class background and working my way up in large corporations, the power of "status" slowly dawned on me.
by kongqiu 16y ago
This is such a key insight. Coming from a lower-middle class background and working my way up in large corporations, the power of "status" slowly dawned on me. Some kid from a well-off background comes in and acts like he owns the place, and it works with 7 out of 10 people! Meanwhile a guy from a lower socioeconomic class comes in, works his arse off and hesitates asking for a raise because he's afraid of overstepping -- this guy gets looked down on or taken advantage of by 7 out of 10 people.
Would be nice to have learned about this earlier.
- michaelochurch 16y agoIndeed. You want to find the "middle path", however. If you overplay your attempts at high status, you have the opposite effect: people see you as having "a problem with authority" or a proletarian "chip" on your shoulder. http://michaelochurch.wordpress.com/2011/01/30/yes-rich-kids-already-won-the-career-game-heres-why/ http://michaelochurch.wordpress.com/2011/01/30/yes-rich-kids... Using the cards metaphor, you never want to be one point away from the other person. Step 1: figure out where the other person sees himself. Step 2: figure out what he wants-- a protege (1-2 points lower), a friend and equal (same status), or a mentor (1-2 points higher). Almost no one wants a supplicant (3+ lower) or arrogant boss (3+ higher). And more importantly, almost no one wants to be a supplicant or an arrogant boss.
- kongqiu 16y agoWise words. Good essay, too.