"Working your way up", how have you done it? What obstacles did you personally face?

It is always a challenge to find ways to work up in a company. The implications is always that you are in competition with others and that favoritism will rule.

I do not believe this premise and in my career it did not work this way.

I have found that by following some simple principles / processes you will move up because there are so many people who don't so you are quickly recognized as an achiever / leader.

They are as follows.

1. Work Hard, always give a bit more then expected. This may be coming in 10 minutes early and not leaving as soon as the day is done, it may be putting a bit of flash in a report, or simply double checking your work so the common errors don't show up.

2. Treat everyone with respect. Both above and below. It doesn't matter how smart you are or how well you do the job, if people don't like you, they will avoid you and they will pass you over when choosing bosses.

3. Always take on extra responsibility. In general do it without asking for more money. The money will come. It is the old adage " You Dance Like You Don't Need the Money"

4. Train those under you to do your job. It is not commonly understood, but you can not move up until someone is able to back fill you. It is very common for people to hold on to information about their job believing they are protecting themselves. What they are doing is locking themselves into that position so they can not move up.

5. Look for opportunities for the company to grow or excel that are out side your normal responsibilities. Think like an owner, not an employee. Find ways to improve the company.

I can almost guarantee that if you learn to live the above simple principles you will excel and move up in any organization and as a corollary you will probably happier then a good percentage of the population because the same principals allow you to have pride in what and how you do it.