BOOK REVIEW: THE RULES OF WORK by Richard Templar

The Rules of Work is a book written by Richard Templar in 2003 and published by Pearson Education. In the book, Templar describes ten rules that he claims will make a person succeed at work if obeyed. The book has ten chapters and each chapter has ten sub chapters full of sage advice for the most part. Below is a summary of the rules as described by Templar:

Rule 1: WALK YOUR TALK. 
Be very good at your job - and make sure the top bosses know how good your work is. Do not volunteer for everything or you’ll end up being overworked and undervalued.

Rule 2: KNOW THAT YOU’RE BEING JUDGED AT ALL TIMES.

To summarize in Templar’s own words: ‘Everything about us speaks volumes to others. The way we dress…how we talk and walk…everything about us is subject to the judgement of others…Rule 2 is making sure that the judgement is positive and enhances your career…You can’t stop people making judgements – but you can change those judgements and consciously affect them'.

Rule 3: HAVE A PLAN

Know where you want to be in the long run. Have short and long term plans.

Rule 4: IF YOU CAN’T SAY ANYTHING NICE - SHUT UP.

In Templar’s own words: ‘we all like to gossip…to talk about our boss behind their back. The rule…don’t do it. People judge you by what you say as much as how you say it'.

Templar proposes that even if you listen to gossip so as not to seem hoity-toity; make sure gossip stops with you. Do not pass it on or offer an opinion. In his own words – 'Gossip is the occupation of idle minds – those who haven’t got enough work to do. It is also the domain of workers who have mindless jobs to do, jobs they can do without thinking'.

Rule 5: LOOK AFTER YOURSELF

Keep records. It is a sensible precaution. Know the difference between the truth and the whole truth. You may embellish facts but never lie, for instance, to say you are qualified as a software programmer when you aren’t is a lie. To say you are a wizard at software programming isn’t a lie because what you have stated is not a fact but a matter of opinion.

Rule 6: BLEND IN.

 Know corporate culture. How do people in a company do things? Dress up or down according to the type of company you work with. Get your face and name known. Understand the social protocols in the office. Know the rules about authority - make friends with those who have the ear of the boss.

Rule 7: ACT ONE STEP UP.

Dress and talk a step ahead. Avoid inane chatter. Think a step ahead - see the big picture.

Rule 8: CULTIVATE DIPLOMACY

Be known for your objective appraisal of any situation. Know when to keep your opinions to yourself. Criticize actions, not persons. Never get personal as you may lose your respect or even end up being sacked. Put things in perspective.

RULE 9: KNOW THE SYSTEM – AND MILK IT

Know all the unspoken rules of office life. Know what to call everyone. Know when to stay late and when to go early. Identify the people who count, and be on their right side. Know the undercurrents and hidden agenda. Know the (boss’s) favourites and cultivate them.

Rule 10: HANDLE THE OPPOSITION      

Identify the opposition; knowledge is power. Study them closely. Know the psychology of promotion. Don’t give too much away. Keep your ear to the ground.

To conclude in Templar’s own words… ‘There are no bad jobs, only bad attitudes to jobs.’

This book is good for workers in conventional jobs, however all the rules may not be relevant to workers in unconventional jobs. One great thing about the book is that the chapters are short and easy to read so the book can be finished in a day or two, depending on how fast a reader one is. Templar has written other 'rules' books, such as:

I recommend this book to all workers.