There are four critical laws that are at play at all times in the workplace. Use these rules as a guideline for making smart decisions and avoiding blindsiding at every level of your career:

1. It’s Always About the Money

        No matter what people say to the contrary, money is the fuel, the lifeline, the energy, the pulse of every company, whether they are public or private, for-profit or not-for-profit. Once you get used to this idea, you’ll be able to see how the flow of money works and, most importantly, how you’re impacting the bottom line. By keeping that in mind you can keep your eye on the money and never forget how important it is to you, your career, and the success of the company.

2. Get With the Program

        At various times in your career, you may be asked to support or even lead an initiative that you don’t agree with. It’s critically important to know how and when to get with the program and ‘go with the flow’. Staying relevant when changes occur is a vital part of basic survival. Savvy players learn how to leverage change and even improve the new plan or product. If you can’t get with the program, you need to grab hold of your exit strategy and leave.

3. Perception Matters  

        It’s just that simple. Perceptions determine whether people see you as an ally or a competitor, a leader or a follower, a team player or a loose cannon. It’s critical that you understand how your behavior impacts people’s perception of you. Watch for cues, and pay attention to how others respond to you. Your values and intentions do not matter - it’s what your staff, managers, and peers believe that counts.

4. Always Have an Exit Strategy

        In today’s turbulent marketplace no job is forever. Every executive needs a smart and strategic plan that gives her control over her career, no matter what may happen next. The exit strategy is your safety net and your peace of mind. With a solid exit strategy in place, you can lead, innovate, and challenge the status quo without worrying that you will be at risk if the powers that be, or a major sea change, dictate your exit.

        Managers have been under siege for the past ten years. They have been forced to downsize, restructure, merge, combine jobs, and inflate profits. They got on board and did what the boss asked. Then, in came a new boss, or consultant, and out went those same managers who had been willing to play the game.

        Those managers might still have jobs if they had been able to spot the red flags that signal trouble. In fact, the most dedicated and driven professionals are often the employees least likely to notice the office threats and pitfalls around them; they're too busy working!

        I Didn't See It Coming provides savvy advice and strategic insights for recognizing and dealing with the situations that can threaten your career. This book will help you develop the skills you need to read the room, correctly assess what is happening around you, and control your career destiny. It shows you why you need an exit strategy, how to navigate the political terrain, how (and why) to differentiate between colleagues, and why it's important to follow the money. Everyone can benefit from understanding how office politics works and what you can do to enhance your position. For anyone in a dicey situation—even if you don't know it yet—this is the ultimate guidebook for office survival. When it comes to your career, don't take chances! Take charge and make sure you see it coming.

        The authors of this utterly unique career guide are three high-powered former executives from major corporations. Each has been on the firing line, faced situations where she didn't see it coming, and emerged more knowledgeable and successful. Not only do the authors know how to spot dangers and wage a clever campaign of corporate politics, they each have worked with and interviewed hundreds of executives whose stories reveal all the different ways and reasons people get blindsided.

Wiley (May 2007) ISBN-13: 978-0470116456