Fit Into the Organization 9: Abide by the Unwritten Rules

This continues our series on how fitting in helps you get the biggest raises and better jobs

Tyler got a great job after graduating from college with his degree in business administration. His work for a global petroleum company gave him opportunities to work in state-of-art finances, world-class leadership, and travel. He seemed on the verge of promotions, when his career screeched to a halt. Failure to abide by unwritten rules stalled his career. He did not fit into his work team and soon found himself transferred to a less prestigious work group. Within three years he left his perfect company for a better opportunity.

Understand the Role of Unwritten Rules

Organizations develop written rules, policy and procedure, to ensure uniform performance and processes. Companies develop unwritten rules to provide structure and tradition. Examples of unwritten rules may include:

• Arriving and leaving at certain times of the day in spite of written policy
• Standards about dress and appearance
• Expectations about taking lunch together or socializing after hours
• Rates of production, performance, or operations
• Lines of formal and informal communication (how people learn about things)
• Access to, and protection of, leadership (implied open door that is not really open)
• Adaptations to change, refinements, departures, and arrivals of staff
• Organizational etiquette, the giving and receiving of favors or gifts
• Use and cleaning of food in a common refrigerator or lunchroom
• Management or leadership style micromanagement, authoritative, delegated, etc.
• Response to mistakes in performance, operations, or services

 

Discover the Unwritten Rules

Failure to comply with unwritten rules, or tradition, may carry harsher consequences than violating written rules. Improve how you fit in by learning and observing the unwritten rules of your organization. You may discover the unwritten rules through a variety of methods:

• Observe how people act within the organization
• Ask questions of co-workers and supervisors about unwritten rules
• Let your mentor teach the corporate culture and unwritten rules
• Listen to your internal network of contacts and learn from them
• Stumble around making mistakes and learn from the mistakes

Monday we will discuss how supporting your co-workers helps you fit in more effectively

This blog will improve as you submit comments, questions, and experiences. We will answer your questions in future blog posts. Please submit your comments and questions so we can answer them.