RULE 48

Have a game plan, but keep it secret

No one knows what goes on inside your head. No one knows what lofty heights you aspire to. No one knows what you’re really up to – remember Rule 43: Know what you are actually doing – so you can work on your game plan and be doing your job well at the same time. Your game plan should incorporate both long- and short-term goals – where you want to be, where you intend being – and then you have something to match your -success against – where you actually are.

Why keep it secret? Because the game plan of your corporation, your management team and your boss may not exactly match your own game plan. This is a personal game plan and should be kept to yourself to protect your dreams and hopes and aspirations – there is nothing quite like having someone dampen your fireworks. An awful lot of management is about having front – being able to look the part, to inspire confidence, to walk your walk. If people get wind of any game plan that deviates from that confident air of the perfect manager they will lose confidence. You might be thinking of striking out on your own, but don’t tell anyone or they will assume you are leaving any minute now, even if your plans don’t allow for that for several years. If you have a game plan of rapid promotion, people will assume you are a high flyer and stop giving you long-term projects on the grounds that you’ll be moving up too soon. And so on. Play your cards close to your chest and keep up the appearance of dedication, commitment, reliability, diligence and stability – even if in your heart of hearts you are planning revolution, climbing Everest or taking over the empire.