Talk a big game
Take credit for everything good that happens
Cover your ass when the you-know-what hits the fan
It's all about money and power
But unless you have no moral compass and no qualms whatsoever about crushing others, it is a horrible mistake to imitate even a few of the tactics of the Win-At-All-Costs crowd.
If you have a heart and a soul, you are far better off to turn away from the dark side and instead embrace the power of doing well by doing good:
Be generous with your time and knowledge. Do not hold information captive; use it to enlighten others, rather than to simply empower you.
Become an expert in areas that others value. If necessary, start small. You might become an expert on composing catchy tweets on your path to becoming Vice President of Media Relations. Above all, use your expertise to help others - other people, other colleagues, other groups, and especially customers - accomplish what they need to accomplish.
Be someone whom others can trust without hesitation; if you hesitate to know whether this is true today, it is not.
Be utterly clear in expressing your needs, skills, experience and aspirations. The fuzzier your words, the less likely you are to succeed.
Be open-minded in your interactions with others, giving them the benefit of the doubt and never forgetting that someone who thinks utterly differently from you may have the answers that have so far eluded you.
Be adaptable in making decisions about your career, because the world is changing faster than you can imagine and many of the institutions and best practices you embrace are fading out of existence.
Be persistent in doing the right thing, even as you watch utterly evil professionals pass you in the fast lane. You are not evil, and no matter how might you might envy the speed with which they succeed, you would never be able to live with the actions that such people take.
Finally, be present in your dealings with your family, friends and colleagues. When they talk, listen. When they are hurting or in need of help, notice this. Abandon multitasking for doing one thing at a time to the highest possible standards. Execution is everything. It is better to do a few things very well than to do everything poorly.
Turn to the power of good, and you will never regret it.
Bruce Kasanoff