What Do You Stand For?

When you're young and just entering the workforce, all you want is a good job, a paycheck, a place to live, a car, and someone fun to enjoy it with.

Once you've been around a while and grown up a bit, however, something weird happens. You begin to actually stand for something.

That's a good thing, and not just because I say so. It's sort of a big deal, especially if you hope to climb the corporate ladder and reach the executive ranks someday.

You see, that's pretty much where corporate culture comes from. A company founder or CEO - a particularly strong-willed or charismatic leader - puts his thumbprint on the company. His unique vision becomes the company's vision. What he believes is right and good for business becomes how the company behaves. That's how it works.

The point is that, until you stand for something, you're not going very far in your career, that's for sure.

Now, don't get me wrong. You can stand for partying, family, free Wi-Fi for all, limited government, helping the poor, social media, the New York Yankees, whatever the hell you want.

Just keep in mind that your management has the same privilege, and if they don't think your heart's in the business, I guarantee that they won't stand for promoting you. Okay, you may get to middle management, but that's about it.

I guess what it comes down to is that CEOs and executive management doesn't really go for ambivalence. Ambivalence doesn't get promoted. So, if you want to become any sort of senior level manager, it's time you stood for something.

Just to get the ball rolling, I'll tell you what I stand for, at least as it relates to business and the workplace. Sure, it's a work in progress, but after 30 years, this is ...

What I Stand For

• Free market capitalism. I think this is a cornerstone of what makes America unique. It's got its issues, but so far, it's proven to be the best system for a free society to flourish. Revenue growth, profits, jobs, and of course, competition. Not the stereotypical ruthless kill the enemy sort of thing, but two companies putting their work out there and may the best product win.
• Achievement. As a young manager, I asked my boss about something that had been bugging me. "Why am I so power hungry?" I asked. "You're not power hungry," he said, "You're just achievement oriented." He was right about me, and that's translated into helping others achieve, as well. The process is fun too, but it's not the same. I can sort of enjoy growing and curing olives, but I love it when they actually taste good.
• Hierarchical chain of command. Management and organizational theory changes over time, but at its core is always the hierarchical chain of command. I think that's the essence of successful business organizations. And yes, flatter is better, to a point.
• Straight talk with no BS. I guess you can call that transparency or being open and honest, but I prefer to call it being genuine. That means being the genuine you, not what you think people want you to be; and saying what's on your mind, not what you think people want to hear.
• Fun. Some say if it was meant to be fun, it wouldn't be called work. I say bull. Sure, work hasn't always been fun and games. And I guess it depends on the person. But to me, achieving great things, working with cool people, even the process of getting things done, are all fun. I especially like the margaritas afterward.
• Good relationships. Business, personal, and yes, I'm one of those people who mixes the two. Since I always traveled a lot on business, some of my fondest memories are from being on the road with coworkers visiting customers, on press tours, at conferences or trade shows. Partying afterward was always fun and helped to cement long-lasting friendships.
• Good business. In 30 years I've seen just about every kind of business deal you can think of, and there's something really special about a transaction where both parties profit and walk away happy. That's what I call good business. I know, Ayn Rand would be proud.

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