16 of 103

Disagree

Write now Article Tools

I hate to think I live in a world where you have to kiss up to anyone to get anything. My parents, both career military enlisted, told me I could do or be anything I wanted to be. They told me all I had to do was work hard, and my dreams would come true. There was no part of their words of wisdom to me that included being a "brown-noser" or "suck-up." Neither of them graduated high school. However, both got their GEDs later and life. Both had tremendously successful military careers. Neither of them ever kissed up to anyone. I intend to continue following in their amazing footsteps.

I was the first in my family to graduate high school. To get there, I did not have to bring apples for my teachers, stay after school or erase blackboards. I did have to work hard, study, participate in sports, have a part-time job and keep my grades up. When I graduated, I had scholarship offers in both academics and sports. I went to the university of my choice based on my career goals and objectives. Along the way, I did not date a single college recruiter. I did not compliment any of my university interviewers on appearance, wit, or sparkling intellect. At college, my mom and dad maintained the "work hard and you can be anything" advice. They never told me to compliment my professor on his latest book, or tell my adviser how brilliant his thesis. When I graduated with my Masters Degree with a 4.0, I had not kissed up to anyone.
In my work-life, I have maintained this approach. I have had great bosses. I have had horrible bosses. I have had bosses I liked. I have had bosses I truly disliked. When I went into the family business and became an Air Force officer, the Air Force world was still predominantly male. As a woman, I knew it would be tough to gain respect. As a woman who happens to be 5feet 4 inches, 105 pounds with blond hair and green eyes, I knew it would be tougher. My first commander told me point blank, he believed "I didn't belong in his Air Force." As if that statement was not clear enough, he went on to tell me that his perception of my ideal Air Force role would be to, "be barefoot in the kitchen cooking his dinner while waiting to bare his child." Nice. I politely told him, "sir, I find that outcome unlikely, but appreciate your input." I did not compliment him on him myriad service ribbons or how sharp he looked in his dress blues. He did not like me. I think he might have actually hated me a little. I did not believe his personal

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Kissing up to your boss is a must if you want to get ahead ?
We want to hear your view. Write now!