PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

This may not apply to all industries or all professions but here is what I have learnt, in my two decaces' worth of working in the international education industry (the years I worked as a teacher do not count). Success in business depends on a small number of things.

As long as you are less shit than the other people, you can still be as shit as you want. If you are more shit than the other people, at least make sure you're the cheapest. It may still not work out but at least you understand your product. And that's something.

If you are dishonest, you will get found out. People may not call you out but they will simply stop buying your dishonest crap. So if you're dishonest and stupid, you may never figure any of this out.

All the other lessons can be found below.

Professional Shortcuts

Originally sent as a newsletter in 2023, I am not quite sure where I got these from. However, since plagiarism is on the list, I don't see how there's a problem here. You may wish to enrich your working life with some of the shortcuts I have collected (read: stolen) here.

On being calm under pressure

If you can stay calm, while all around you is chaos…then you probably haven’t completely understood the seriousness of the situation.

On ensuring you don’t get the sack

Doing a job RIGHT the first time gets the job done. Doing the job WRONG fourteen times gives you job security.

On people who try to hard

Eagles may soar, but weasels don’t get sucked into jet engines.

On cheating

Plagiarism saves time.

On not reading emails

Never put off until tomorrow what you can avoid altogether.

On the Senior Leadership Team in most schools

Never underestimate the power of very stupid people in large groups.

On being flexible

INDECISION is the key to FLEXIBILITY.

On work in general

Aim Low, Reach Your Goals, Avoid Disappointment.