Recently had a debate with a friend about what got people ahead more at the workplace.
Both of us have held various jobs through school. Personally I've worked at a pizza shop, Home Depot, Best Buy, for the county and 2 financial firms. I've been paid hourly and I am now on salary.
Throughout all my years of working both in the public and private sectors, the people who usually get the praise and the promotion/raise are the social butterflies who beat their chests every time they do something marginally decent. While the people with really good work ethic who are quiet and timid, are looked over.
I have personally gotten ahead more by chatting it up at the water cooler than i have beating my head against a problem that nobody else seemed to fix. In fact, I negotiated a promotion over a beer at a local brewery.
I say my social ability will beat anyone's actual work skill any day... My buddy says, hard work pays off and people appreciate that the most.
What do you think?