Schumpeter

According to the Schumpeter column in The Economist, competence in your job isn't the way to get power at the company.

Start by picking the division most likely to contribute to corporate growth, either by what it creates or by the functionality it provides.

Then manage your managers -- get them to regard you as someone they value because you value them. Flattery works, big time.

As you do this, network like hell.

Finally, as you rise, keep in mind that power corrupts. Keep the power, of course; watch out for the corruption.


Now, how hard is that?

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Seriously, though -- that's good, succinct advice. Granted, it speaks not at all to the classic 'what do YOU want to do', but in a world where many people don't know, it's not at all bad. I used to read articles where they advised 'look for the people who got promoted, figure out why, and emulate that', but I rarely could. Well, one or two: but the identifying characteristic was 'They are each a Corporate Man, willing to Walk the Line and Talk the Talk'. Always had a problem with that. This doesn't say to do that -- though, I'm sure, it doesn't hurt along the way.