PEPonline Professionalization of Exercise Physiologyonline An international electronic journal for exercise physiologists ISSN 1099-5862 Vol 2 No 12 December 1999   The 10 Rules of Work Tommy Boone, Ph.D., MPH, FASEP Professor and Chair Department of Exercise Physiology College of St. Scholastica Duluth, MN The feeling of having no power in the work place is difficult to deal with.  In fact, it is down right miserable.  No one wants less than what is right; everyone wants what they have been promised.  However, reality is tough and unfair to some of our best exercise physiologists.  They played the academic game.  They served their masters, the teachers.  They paid the price, developed their skills, and pushed themselves to the max (literally).  Meanwhile, in the so-called real world, many non-exercise physiology health practitioners frown upon the role of the exercise physiologists in the healthcare system.  This is the dilemma faced by the recent graduate from college. What is needed is vigilance and tactical thinking to rise above the cunning non-believers. Any person can sit and take it, but it takes a driven person with a goal in mind to realize his/her dreams.  Just imagine what life might be if you had some control over your life.  To some people the idea is but a day-dream, playing with possibilities without action.  They don’t have the heart to empower themselves.  To others, life is too precious to avoid playing.  They understand the game and avoid being trapped in powerless positions.  Learning the game requires a certain way to look at the exercise physiology profession.  It takes effort and the ability to think clearly without emotions or anger. Rule #1 When at work and everything is going wrong, don’t let your emotions control you.  Don’t show your anger.  Be careful about how you express yourself.  Remember, it is all a game.  Try not to take the person in your face too seriously. Rule #2 Although you will make friends with some co-workers more easily than with others, it is important that you trust yourself completely.  Don’t trust your job and future in the hands of another co-worker.  Shared feelings often lead to different paths when opportunities arise. Rule #3 Be careful in demonstrating how smart you are especially when it distracts from the power position of the person who can fire you.  All supervisors want to believe they are the power source, the brain, and the authority.  Everyone understands this point, but few really appreciate the importance of not outshining the supervisor. Rule #4 Ask for help where appropriate.  Don’t demonstrate too quickly or at the wrong time your academic and hands-on strengths.  Take your time, be patient, and exploit the right moment. Rule #5 As unusual as it might seem, try not to draw attention to yourself.  Where possible, avoid trying to impress the supervisor.  Saying less often means more control, including the appearance of more power. Rule #6 Dress the part because appearance is important.  Never let yourself dress less than professional.  Colorful and well groomed clothing are important; image is important as it defines who you are while keeping a certain mystery about yourself. Rule #7 While sharing success in the work place is important, don’t throw away your hard work by allowing others to hog the show.  Stay in control and, above all else, understand that your co-workers may have problems.  Don’t share in their misery. Rule #8 Think twice about teaching others how to do your job.  Be the only one who knows how to do some aspect of “whatever” is necessary to keep everything running smoothly.  The supervisor must feel that you are important, if for no other reason, because what you can do is necessary to keeping the facility up and running. Rule #9 Maintain independence in your work place by not joining sides. In this way, by not surrendering to ideas, time, and position, what you are and how you are perceived by others will be allowed to grow. Rule #10 Learn to respect yourself, your ideas, your thinking, and stop depending on others to provide you the answers or the right advice for a particular problem at work.  Look inward and surround yourself with your ideas.  If you believe you have it, then you have it. Suggested reading: Greene, R. & Elffers, J. (1998). The 48 Laws of Power. New York: Penguin Group.  Copyright ©1997-2000 American Society of Exercise Physiologists. All Rights Reserved. ASEP Table of Contents Questions/comments