When I start a new contract,
for the first month,
I work like hell
and keep my big mouth shut.
I watch the office dynamics.
I figure out who the players are,
and who I can trust.
THEN I ease into conversations
and decision making.
Gil Schwartz in
September’s Men’s Health
advises a similar strategy.
“Sometimes anxiety in the workplace
leads to blabitis.
Nobody ever landed in trouble
for being too thoughtful and reserved
at an open meeting.
For the most part,
everyone respects a man
who projects a willingness
to learn the ropes in attentive silence.
You need to speak
when it’s appropriate to do so,
of course.
But stifle your tendency
to blather intelligently,
even if you think it makes you sound good.
That’s dangerous.”
When in doubt,
keep the mouth shut.