Doing these six things consistently is not always easy. Sometimes we take our work too seriously (breaking Discipline #6)...or not seriously enough (Discipline #1). Sometimes the boss gives employees a mixed signal. She tells her new charges, “We have a very flexible work environment!” and then glares at them when they’re not at their desks by 8 AM. These are the nuances of office culture that have to be worked out by continuing to clarify expectations with your boss. Being “on time” at some workplaces means being in by 8 AM, while at others, it means logging into a conference call on time. Figure out how these disciplines apply to your office culture, and then apply them.
Andy Armanino became a partner at Armanino McKenna at age 29 and the managing partner at age 39. Last month in front of a crowd of college students, I asked him how he did it. He pointed to the list of Six Disciplines, and said, “A lot of it is written right there.”