CUT DOWN ON MEETINGS
Most meetings are held to satisfy the host's ego or to hand you their work. So never feel left out if you haven't been invited. In fact, do your best to uninvite yourself: you'll soon hear about what went on – if anything. If forced to attend, say you have another appointment in half an hour (it'll make them get to the point).
AVOID EMOTIONAL EMAILS
Never, ever, reply immediately to an emotional email or one that's triggered you emotionally – it'll wreck that day's productivity. Take some time to cool down. Wait until you can decide what you want from the sender, and then reply with that aim in mind. If you want nothing, don't reply: it'll drive them crazy.
KILL THE FEUDING
Whether junior or senior, office feuds eat up more time than any other work activity. Hatching plots; building and collapsing alliances: it's exhausting stuff and all too common in just about every office. Stop it! Instead, calculate how every individual can help you to achieve your goals, and make that your focus.
Robert Kelsey is CEO of Moorgate Communications. We asked four experts in their respective fields how to create 'You 2.0'. Read them all in our Power Issue here.
