Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/595215
November 2 - November 23, 2015 16 Working World l WorkingWorld.com "I don't suck up; I don't care who the person is or what their title is." Although this statement may be true, that no one should really ever kiss up to higher levels, the mindset of the person saying it is flawed. Serving up is what great professionals and leaders do to accommodate their clients, organi- zations and cowork- ers. Don't let those unwilling to serve change your person- al mission of serving others. THE ISSUE One reason someone may make this statement is because they didn't achieve some desired outcome. For example, you may recognize a familiar comment, "The only reason he got the job is because he's a "Yes Man." To put it bluntly and broadly: no one likes a kiss up, not even those that are being kissed up to. In most cases, however, it's not "Yes Man" behavior that creates a problem—it's the lack of understanding of the difference between sucking up and serving up. To forge a path toward career success, one must serve up, and do it with great humility and a great desire to achieve. THE CONFUSION The quintessential "kiss up" is someone who uses flattery to win someone over. This behavior is visible from miles away and those who use it very rarely achieve long-term success, mainly because it demonstrates a frightening lack of self-awareness. These actions are born out of manipulation and arrogance which lack genuine intent—the goal of sucking up is entirely self-serving. Contrarily, serving up is an act of accommodation that stems from the desire to provide a sterling level of service. It is the idea that when you truly make yourself an asset to those around you, whether it's a client, your immediate superior or a coworker, you move toward success together. SERVING UP; "THE STORY" A regional manager with a large finance firm was attending his company's annual conference. There were hundreds of attendees from all across the country— including some of the corporate heavyweights slated to deliver presentations. During this event, one of the company VPs was delivering a speech and he started having some problems with his microphone. Within seconds his direct report jumped up out of his seat in the back of the room, ran to the AV team and began searching for a solution to get the Vice President a new mic so he could continue to focus on his speech. Right at that time one of the regional manager's peers leaned in and whispered, "Look at that lackey, running off to fetch another microphone." He continued his trash talking, "Man, if my VP's mic does not work, he can find another one on his own; it's not my responsibility to follow behind him." He did not understand the difference between sucking up and serving up. FEATURE ARTICLE by Nathan Jamailt Serving up is what great professionals and leaders do to accommodate their clients, organizations and coworkers. Don't let those unwilling to serve change your personal mission of serving others. Don't Confuse Serving Up with Sucking Up