On #10, I might add that the "office" coffee in general has improved a lot in the last two decades, and its bad reputation is really something lingering from the distant past.
To combine #10 and #4 (on the commandment to "take it all in), I would also suggest someone in a 2025 summer intern role might pick up more useful insights from colleagues by say 2 visits a day to the coffee machine (and using them as excuses to have quick 5-7 minute chats with various different colleagues) than say from visibly disappearing from one's desk once a week for 45 minutes for a long coffee with one colleague.
As in all things in life - your mileage may vary, and this is not intended as definitively prescriptive advice.
Number 5. LOL but worth writing down your views and reading 5 years later.
Early in my career, I worked as strategist for a high growth bank. The CEO was irritated by his staff around him as they did not want to ruffle his feathers and risk their careers.
I suggested a breakfast with young and new hired staff with a strategic questions session.
One of the questions was “what would you do if you were CEO”. So a bit different than your question. I had deep respect for this CEO as he did listen and did act. It’s now a global bank.
Great advice here. I would add that in the office environment, whether they are called Secretaries, Assistants, Executive Assistants, or Clerks, be nice and learn from the people who know the place and get things done. Be humble and learn from them even if they do not have fancy MBAs or LLBs because they know the ropes and they are the gatekeepers for the bosses. If you do not see them, they definitely see you and it will be related. On the work site, there are similar folks without titles but a host of experience who can teach you things and importantly make your life easier or harder. Be humble, work hard, listen and learn.
Superb advice, Mark, all of it.
On #10, I might add that the "office" coffee in general has improved a lot in the last two decades, and its bad reputation is really something lingering from the distant past.
To combine #10 and #4 (on the commandment to "take it all in), I would also suggest someone in a 2025 summer intern role might pick up more useful insights from colleagues by say 2 visits a day to the coffee machine (and using them as excuses to have quick 5-7 minute chats with various different colleagues) than say from visibly disappearing from one's desk once a week for 45 minutes for a long coffee with one colleague.
As in all things in life - your mileage may vary, and this is not intended as definitively prescriptive advice.
Number 5. LOL but worth writing down your views and reading 5 years later.
Early in my career, I worked as strategist for a high growth bank. The CEO was irritated by his staff around him as they did not want to ruffle his feathers and risk their careers.
I suggested a breakfast with young and new hired staff with a strategic questions session.
One of the questions was “what would you do if you were CEO”. So a bit different than your question. I had deep respect for this CEO as he did listen and did act. It’s now a global bank.
Great advice here. I would add that in the office environment, whether they are called Secretaries, Assistants, Executive Assistants, or Clerks, be nice and learn from the people who know the place and get things done. Be humble and learn from them even if they do not have fancy MBAs or LLBs because they know the ropes and they are the gatekeepers for the bosses. If you do not see them, they definitely see you and it will be related. On the work site, there are similar folks without titles but a host of experience who can teach you things and importantly make your life easier or harder. Be humble, work hard, listen and learn.
This is all satire, right?
I don't know. Is it?
Haha. I don't know. If it isn't, it should be.
Perhaps this isn't your flavour of Substack
That's fair.