| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? 15:31 - May 16 with 7195 views | unbelievablue |
I was asked this question today and had to really think about it, but went with:
'Find a way to be comfortable saying "I don't know" when appropriate'
Looking back, I spent years avoiding saying it. I received said advice when a mentor noticed me flounder a couple of times and it was clear that an honest "I don't know, actually, but I can ask x/try and find out" would've been the right response for everyone's sake. Very grateful to them.
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| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 07:39 - May 17 with 1096 views | Lord_Lucan |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 07:30 - May 17 by Churchman |
It didn’t make my top ten but I absolutely abhor lateness - myself as well as other people. I’ve always been that way.
In the workplace, especially meetings, the thought was ‘is this person interested? Are they cr@p at time management? Do they get a buzz out of rocking in late: look at me? could the just not be bothered’ Etc etc. mostly unreasonable because sht happens and sometimes it’s unavoidable, but those thoughts always ran through my head.
In other words, how you present yourself in a work environment does matter. Timekeeping, dress, body language, behaviours all matter. Being on time is easy, costs nothing and does not leave you open to negative thoughts from unreasonable people like me. |
Exactly.
The Hippy was also a smoker and would immediately go for a fag after arriving, he was in effect a lazy hippy.
If you are employed to work from X to Y then that is when you work, and if you are in retail there is little point making up your minutes when the shop is closed. |  |
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| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 07:43 - May 17 with 1094 views | Churchman |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 07:34 - May 17 by You_Bloo_Right |
You are Louis XVIII and I claim my five francs. |
Wasn’t he the big fat one ousted for 100 days by Napoleon in 1815? Nah, I’m more Charles 6th who thought he was made of glass. |  | | |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 08:03 - May 17 with 1052 views | You_Bloo_Right |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 07:43 - May 17 by Churchman |
Wasn’t he the big fat one ousted for 100 days by Napoleon in 1815? Nah, I’m more Charles 6th who thought he was made of glass. |
That's the boy. It was his statement that "punctuality is the politeness of kings" which sprang to mind.
Churchy the Mad has a certain ring though.
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| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 08:09 - May 17 with 1038 views | Churchman |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 08:03 - May 17 by You_Bloo_Right |
That's the boy. It was his statement that "punctuality is the politeness of kings" which sprang to mind.
Churchy the Mad has a certain ring though.
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I rather like it 😀.
And have been called worse. | | | |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 08:13 - May 17 with 1040 views | blueasfook |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 07:30 - May 17 by Churchman |
It didn’t make my top ten but I absolutely abhor lateness - myself as well as other people. I’ve always been that way.
In the workplace, especially meetings, the thought was ‘is this person interested? Are they cr@p at time management? Do they get a buzz out of rocking in late: look at me? could the just not be bothered’ Etc etc. mostly unreasonable because sht happens and sometimes it’s unavoidable, but those thoughts always ran through my head.
In other words, how you present yourself in a work environment does matter. Timekeeping, dress, body language, behaviours all matter. Being on time is easy, costs nothing and does not leave you open to negative thoughts from unreasonable people like me. |
You sound like a dinosaur. I take it you're retired? The workplace has changed. Most now operate flexible working so you can't be late as such. Dress code is now casual. I do a professional job but I mostly work in shorts and a t shirt. Tattoos are commonplace. I imagine you'd be fumbling with your waistcoat pocket watch in angst at all this! |  |
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| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 08:35 - May 17 with 1009 views | OldFart71 |
This isn't advice I was given it's just something I say myself.
When asked "What do you think" I always said "I don't get paid to think"
Another one of my own advice if you like is when the powers that be are about always look busy even if you aren't as I say " It's harder to hit a moving target" |  | | |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 09:20 - May 17 with 983 views | Churchman |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 08:13 - May 17 by blueasfook |
You sound like a dinosaur. I take it you're retired? The workplace has changed. Most now operate flexible working so you can't be late as such. Dress code is now casual. I do a professional job but I mostly work in shorts and a t shirt. Tattoos are commonplace. I imagine you'd be fumbling with your waistcoat pocket watch in angst at all this! |
Yes, I am retired. Casual dress in my workplaces started coming in around 2000 and was the norm by the time I finished in 2019. I also flexibly worked sometimes throughout the 2010s, once I got a surface pro and long before WFH became a discussion topic. I was also WFH sometimes in 99/2000 period when I worked for an IT company, had a laptop, tech to do it. VC, teleconferencing, dial ins, mobiles fully connected - all of that so while I know the tech has improved even this Tyrannosaurus Rex knows what it is.
However, even then it was suits for ‘important’ meetings or meetings where you weren’t sure who would attend. How you project yourself was important if you wanted the best outcome. You can always dress down, but never up. If you dress right, you can walk into a meeting, spot the mug with the Mickey Mouse tie and you’ll pretty know he’s either an idiot, lacks confidence in himself or is trying too hard.
How and where you sit even is important. Slump in a chair at a meeting or interview, what does that tell others? You’ve been out on the lash? Not interested? Too thick to keep up? Playing a game?
If you are being interviewed do you mirror the interviewer or visa versa? You can tell if there’s a panel of three who the big hitter is when you walk in without a word being sad. You watch; really look and listen. And it isn’t always the chair person. Do you accept a drink? Yes, but only pick it up if you need to. You might drop it and you’re toast if you do. It’s about minimising risk.
Dress like a tramp in a meeting if you wish, but I guarantee 99% will consciously or subliminally dismiss you. Why take the risk? Day to day if in an office working with people I knew and there were no meetings, I would dress very much down, but that was a closed environment so ok. Different types of work of course make a huge difference. A suit is not much use on a roof and the old Bermudas aren’t going to cut it on the perfume counter at John Lewis.
The world of work will always by a game, but a competitive one even in 100 years time. Human behaviour really doesn’t change. Taking care of the little things will only help, not hinder.
If that’s being a dinosaur so be it. Alternatively it may be a key to understanding how others respond to you which can only benefit you. | | | |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 09:32 - May 17 with 955 views | Lord_Lucan |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 08:13 - May 17 by blueasfook |
You sound like a dinosaur. I take it you're retired? The workplace has changed. Most now operate flexible working so you can't be late as such. Dress code is now casual. I do a professional job but I mostly work in shorts and a t shirt. Tattoos are commonplace. I imagine you'd be fumbling with your waistcoat pocket watch in angst at all this! |
Flexible hours is ok in some instances but part of The Hippys' job was to open a shop and serve the general public from 10am. | |
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| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 09:42 - May 17 with 954 views | bluelagos |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 09:20 - May 17 by Churchman |
Yes, I am retired. Casual dress in my workplaces started coming in around 2000 and was the norm by the time I finished in 2019. I also flexibly worked sometimes throughout the 2010s, once I got a surface pro and long before WFH became a discussion topic. I was also WFH sometimes in 99/2000 period when I worked for an IT company, had a laptop, tech to do it. VC, teleconferencing, dial ins, mobiles fully connected - all of that so while I know the tech has improved even this Tyrannosaurus Rex knows what it is.
However, even then it was suits for ‘important’ meetings or meetings where you weren’t sure who would attend. How you project yourself was important if you wanted the best outcome. You can always dress down, but never up. If you dress right, you can walk into a meeting, spot the mug with the Mickey Mouse tie and you’ll pretty know he’s either an idiot, lacks confidence in himself or is trying too hard.
How and where you sit even is important. Slump in a chair at a meeting or interview, what does that tell others? You’ve been out on the lash? Not interested? Too thick to keep up? Playing a game?
If you are being interviewed do you mirror the interviewer or visa versa? You can tell if there’s a panel of three who the big hitter is when you walk in without a word being sad. You watch; really look and listen. And it isn’t always the chair person. Do you accept a drink? Yes, but only pick it up if you need to. You might drop it and you’re toast if you do. It’s about minimising risk.
Dress like a tramp in a meeting if you wish, but I guarantee 99% will consciously or subliminally dismiss you. Why take the risk? Day to day if in an office working with people I knew and there were no meetings, I would dress very much down, but that was a closed environment so ok. Different types of work of course make a huge difference. A suit is not much use on a roof and the old Bermudas aren’t going to cut it on the perfume counter at John Lewis.
The world of work will always by a game, but a competitive one even in 100 years time. Human behaviour really doesn’t change. Taking care of the little things will only help, not hinder.
If that’s being a dinosaur so be it. Alternatively it may be a key to understanding how others respond to you which can only benefit you. |
Am sure there's much in what you say - but I took a slightly different approach, especially in interviews.
I wouldn't wear a tie, would look smart for sure, but dress slightly worse than expected. I would then interview hopefully well enough for the job. Then IF they rejected me based solely on my appearance, demeanor - then all good - cos that is not the type of company I would wish to work for.
Workplaces that place more value on appearance than on delivery (and there are many) aren't the sort of place I would flourish. I'm a bit rough round the edges and know that - and I was happy to avoid such places. |  |
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| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 09:48 - May 17 with 947 views | blueasfook |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 09:42 - May 17 by bluelagos |
Am sure there's much in what you say - but I took a slightly different approach, especially in interviews.
I wouldn't wear a tie, would look smart for sure, but dress slightly worse than expected. I would then interview hopefully well enough for the job. Then IF they rejected me based solely on my appearance, demeanor - then all good - cos that is not the type of company I would wish to work for.
Workplaces that place more value on appearance than on delivery (and there are many) aren't the sort of place I would flourish. I'm a bit rough round the edges and know that - and I was happy to avoid such places. |
You said what I was trying to get across in a much better way! I don't care if someone has tats, not clean shaven, long hair whatever. I judge people on how good they are at their job not their appearance. | |
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| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 09:53 - May 17 with 930 views | bluelagos |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 09:48 - May 17 by blueasfook |
You said what I was trying to get across in a much better way! I don't care if someone has tats, not clean shaven, long hair whatever. I judge people on how good they are at their job not their appearance. |
Think you may have meant that for someone else? | |
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| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 10:13 - May 17 with 919 views | Plums |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 20:15 - May 16 by You_Bloo_Right |
Don't force it, get a bigger hammer. |
Always carry something |  |
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| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 11:05 - May 17 with 886 views | Pendejo |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 08:13 - May 17 by blueasfook |
You sound like a dinosaur. I take it you're retired? The workplace has changed. Most now operate flexible working so you can't be late as such. Dress code is now casual. I do a professional job but I mostly work in shorts and a t shirt. Tattoos are commonplace. I imagine you'd be fumbling with your waistcoat pocket watch in angst at all this! |
Whilst the world constantly changes, evolves and revolves, there are some things that should be sacrosanct; punctuality, politeness and productivity (tho different organisations will measure this differently)
Punctuality
Where you cite flexible working, that obviously falls outside the subject if you can't be late.
It's only relevant when time bound with deadlines.
On the rare occasion I'm late, Google maps are my saviour; screenshot route planning, and then bring up history.
Politeness
As stated elsewhere; treat others how you want to be treated - simple notion but seemingly an impossible concept for many
There's a time and a place for banter, even in the workplace, but be sure the recipient knows it as such. A colleague stepped in front a train a few years ago, don't know why, but their treatment at the hands of another colleague probably didn't help, nor did the actions of others who said nothing (silence is violence)
As for dress this is interesting.
I used to work in insurance, there used to be a very strict dress code; starched collars, pinstripes exactly 1/8 inch thick etc that died out long before I was employed. I was the first person (IIRC) to wear a green suit, which earned me a meeting with a senior manager and Personnel (as it was then).
By the time I moved on, that same manager was wearing green suits.
Context: mine was a grey/green, his a very dark green. Neither looked like anything from Naaaridge.
Whereas in my current office I can guarantee I will be the smartest dressed man (ok in my opinion), and I'm usually in cords and polo shirt.
Why do so many people wearing ugly, baggy, jogging bottoms to work?
As for camel hoof... Certain that wasn't evident until recently? |  |
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| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 11:37 - May 17 with 865 views | Churchman |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 09:42 - May 17 by bluelagos |
Am sure there's much in what you say - but I took a slightly different approach, especially in interviews.
I wouldn't wear a tie, would look smart for sure, but dress slightly worse than expected. I would then interview hopefully well enough for the job. Then IF they rejected me based solely on my appearance, demeanor - then all good - cos that is not the type of company I would wish to work for.
Workplaces that place more value on appearance than on delivery (and there are many) aren't the sort of place I would flourish. I'm a bit rough round the edges and know that - and I was happy to avoid such places. |
If there were two candidates equally qualified, equally pleasant and one rocked in with his gut poking through his shirt, dishevelled, casual, knackers on display as he leaned back and the other came in looking professional, organised, smart, switched on, who would you choose?
Captain gonads would start off at an instant disadvantage for me. Thoughts would be is he interested? Bothered? Does he want the job? Is he as careless with his work as his interview dress sense? Is he arrogant ‘take me as you find me’? Those question would and did enter my head.
The opposite is the person that rolls in with all the gear, knows the rules of the game and possibly over does it. Yes, good start, but is he just a good game player with no substance or does he stack up with his CV? What’s he actually like? All show, no go? So my objective with him would be to break through and find out. It’s no good wearing the snappy cuff links and ready smile if you can’t deliver anything.
Back to my view on lateness, unless there was a faultless reason (and I would check) their chance would reduce to minimal, regardless of what the rigid recruitment processes (e.g. Civil Service) said. That was easily got around.
I was known as a tough but fair recruiter and whether scoring applications and CVs early stages, chairing or sitting as an independent (I got asked a lot to do that). I guess I was. It costs a fortune to bring people in and a shedload more if you get it wrong.
The important point of my dribbling on (too long) is that words are only a percentage of conversation. Appearance, eye contact, expression, behaviours in my view really matter which is why despite being a big supporter of working from home/remote working, it’s also crucial to meet people at some point.
Just my dinosaur view. | | | |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 11:39 - May 17 with 853 views | Lord_Lucan |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 09:42 - May 17 by bluelagos |
Am sure there's much in what you say - but I took a slightly different approach, especially in interviews.
I wouldn't wear a tie, would look smart for sure, but dress slightly worse than expected. I would then interview hopefully well enough for the job. Then IF they rejected me based solely on my appearance, demeanor - then all good - cos that is not the type of company I would wish to work for.
Workplaces that place more value on appearance than on delivery (and there are many) aren't the sort of place I would flourish. I'm a bit rough round the edges and know that - and I was happy to avoid such places. |
When sorting through job applications I instantly bin 50% without even opening them - thus ensuring that I don't employ unlucky people. | |
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| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 11:48 - May 17 with 831 views | CrayonKing |
This one is mostly applicable to the self-employed but i think it can apply to other areas too. "If nobody thinks you're too expensive then you're too cheap." |  | | |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 11:49 - May 17 with 821 views | Freddies_Ears |
1 - you're your own worst enemy (ie, you know what is the right thing to do, but you also too often don't do it). [That helped, massively.]
2 - You look bored in meetings. I know you aren't, because you never miss a thing, but sit up straight, engage eye contact & smile. [I wish I had been told this before I was 48!!!!]
3 - Your boss only knows 2 things about you - what you wear and what hours you keep. [Not strictly true, but it's a great start]. | | | |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 11:53 - May 17 with 810 views | leitrimblue |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 09:32 - May 17 by Lord_Lucan |
Flexible hours is ok in some instances but part of The Hippys' job was to open a shop and serve the general public from 10am. |
I've had to employ and work with a fair share of hippy types ( some cause they were mates, others as their attracted to the profession )
Some have been quite good, a couple very good, but so many of um have completely lived up to the lazy, workshy hippy stereotype. ( especially you Dylan, f4ck  )
Quite handy if you fancy a late afternoon sneaky smoke but not sure would trust any of um to open up in the morning or deal with the general public |  | | |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 12:01 - May 17 with 797 views | LegendofthePhoenix |
Best bit of workplace advice I ever got was
"Every time you encounter an obstacle, you want to run at it and flatten it. But life can be much easier if you just sidestep around it - you don't have to demolish it, just find a different way to get the outcome you want." |  |
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| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 12:06 - May 17 with 786 views | SE1blue |
Don’t work anywhere where your colleagues describe people as ‘tramps’ or ‘hippies’. |  |
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| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 12:33 - May 17 with 753 views | MattinLondon |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 08:13 - May 17 by blueasfook |
You sound like a dinosaur. I take it you're retired? The workplace has changed. Most now operate flexible working so you can't be late as such. Dress code is now casual. I do a professional job but I mostly work in shorts and a t shirt. Tattoos are commonplace. I imagine you'd be fumbling with your waistcoat pocket watch in angst at all this! |
You are right, the workplace has changed. One of the senior people where I work absolutely despises people working from home but even he has had to adapt. Some meetings need that face-to-face dynamic but the majority do not.
Saying that appearances still do matter - I dress smartly when with clients etc and I think teachers (for example) should look the part as well.
But, and I know that I’m going off in a completely different direction now, for the life of me I don’t understand why some sixth forms make their pupils wear suits - that is completely ridiculous. |  | | |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 12:39 - May 17 with 744 views | Lord_Lucan |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 11:53 - May 17 by leitrimblue |
I've had to employ and work with a fair share of hippy types ( some cause they were mates, others as their attracted to the profession )
Some have been quite good, a couple very good, but so many of um have completely lived up to the lazy, workshy hippy stereotype. ( especially you Dylan, f4ck )
Quite handy if you fancy a late afternoon sneaky smoke but not sure would trust any of um to open up in the morning or deal with the general public |
The hippy I employed was expert in his field and already known to me, in fact he worked for a competitor of mine.
He was sacked from the previous job for nicking from the till but I gave him a second chance and advised him that I knew why he left his last employment. I kind of had an opinion that anyone could nick money or stock and I thought that as he knew that I knew then he would think twice. I also firmly believe in second chances - plus he was a bit of a handyman so I could get things fixed without calling in a tradesman.
Thing is, he hadn't had his hair cut since 1983 and was untidy and scruffy. Why he thought it ok to have a fag once he arrived rather than when driving in is a mystery and he also had a habit of leaving spent toilet roll cardboard inserts on the dispenser which actually drives me insane.
He used to do a few deliveries for us as well until I found out that he had been driving on a provisional for 40 years, I even then paid for him to have a test.
I think it was the NI increase along with the toilet roll thing that through me over the edge. | |
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| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 14:15 - May 17 with 699 views | bluelagos |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 11:37 - May 17 by Churchman |
If there were two candidates equally qualified, equally pleasant and one rocked in with his gut poking through his shirt, dishevelled, casual, knackers on display as he leaned back and the other came in looking professional, organised, smart, switched on, who would you choose?
Captain gonads would start off at an instant disadvantage for me. Thoughts would be is he interested? Bothered? Does he want the job? Is he as careless with his work as his interview dress sense? Is he arrogant ‘take me as you find me’? Those question would and did enter my head.
The opposite is the person that rolls in with all the gear, knows the rules of the game and possibly over does it. Yes, good start, but is he just a good game player with no substance or does he stack up with his CV? What’s he actually like? All show, no go? So my objective with him would be to break through and find out. It’s no good wearing the snappy cuff links and ready smile if you can’t deliver anything.
Back to my view on lateness, unless there was a faultless reason (and I would check) their chance would reduce to minimal, regardless of what the rigid recruitment processes (e.g. Civil Service) said. That was easily got around.
I was known as a tough but fair recruiter and whether scoring applications and CVs early stages, chairing or sitting as an independent (I got asked a lot to do that). I guess I was. It costs a fortune to bring people in and a shedload more if you get it wrong.
The important point of my dribbling on (too long) is that words are only a percentage of conversation. Appearance, eye contact, expression, behaviours in my view really matter which is why despite being a big supporter of working from home/remote working, it’s also crucial to meet people at some point.
Just my dinosaur view. |
I think the point is - that when you are recruiting you should be doing all you can to assess their ability to do the job. If you have two candidates that are exactly the same - I'd argue you haven't assessed very well.
When recruiting for a multinational - level one above Graduate level - I found I just couldn't tell from an interview whether someone was genuinely the best thing ever, or just a bullsh1tter. So I introduced an assessment - 3 hour case study - here are some background facts - here's a lap top - you get 15 mins to ask me any question you want....then go and do an appraisal on what products we should launch and present it back.
One blokes said it was the toughest interview he'd ever had - he was a gay Nigerian - I pointed out if I'd left it to appearances and the interview - he'd have not got the job (other assessors being quite prejudice) - he got it cos he was the best person for the job, as he showed.
So I don't buy for one second your scenario - cos all things are never equal - or if they are - the recruiter isn't very good at recruiting imho.
(That said I do accept that appearance matters - I just chose not to ever judge someone on it - and to do all I could not to work in environments where it mattered a lot) | |
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| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 14:45 - May 17 with 671 views | DarkBrandon |
If you haven’t tested it, it doesn’t work |  | | |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 14:58 - May 17 with 659 views | bluelagos |
| Best bit of work advice you were ever given? on 14:45 - May 17 by DarkBrandon |
If you haven’t tested it, it doesn’t work |
Good job you never worked in a match factory  | |
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