Donít let promotion shake you up ñ how to avoid a comedy of errors

For those of you who have recently been, or are set to be, promoted at work, you could do worse than revisiting your school days in an attempt to make sure your transition goes as smoothly as possible.

Thatís because the works of that blessed bard, the bane of so many a school kidís life ñ Shakespeare - hold a number of valuable lessons for those who find themselves moving up the ladder in the workplace, says Kevin Riley, Director of Carlton Resource Solutions.

ìMany of his plays feature sage advice and instances of mistakes not to be repeated that are pertinent to employees who are facing the test of a taking on a more senior role,î says Kevin.

If you read Shakespeareís Othello as part of your studies, youíll probably be familiar with the character of Cassio. A faithful and loyal servant to Othello, he is tricked into a drunken brawl shortly after being promoted, and is subsequently sacked.

Although perhaps an extreme example, Cassioís indiscretion is a lesson for anyone who steps up into a position of authority ñ donít let your standards slip.

ìWhen you take on your new role, remember that your bosses have put their trust in you and expect it to be repaid,î cautions Kevin. ìFor the first few months itís only natural for them to be watching you a little more closely - your actions ultimately reflect on them too.

ìCassioís downfall is that he doesnít see the bigger picture and the potential consequences of his actions. Although, as Desdemona says, he ëerrs in ignorance and not in cunningí, it still doesnít excuse his gross misjudgement of the standards expected of him.î

Thatís not to say that you canít make mistakes however ñ how you deal with these can be the crucial factor. As Shakespeare says in King Lear; ëTime shall unfold what plighted cunning hides: Who cover faults, at last shame them derideí.

ìThe point is that you should be brave enough to admit your errors,î says Kevin. ìLetís face it; if you are taking on a new role, chances are that you will make some mistakes along the way. Be willing to hold your hands up and take responsibility - your boss and colleagues will admire that much more than if you try to pass the buck.î

Kevin points to other relevant pieces of Shakespeareís work that are appropriate when embarking on your new position.

ìPerhaps one of the fundamental things to remember is that you shouldnít rest on your laurels. Youíve no doubt done a lot of hard work to get to this stage but, if anything, you need to work even harder. Donít rely on your past achievements to get by. As Volumnia says in Coriolanus, ëaction is eloquenceí, so make sure you sustain the efforts which have served you so well to date ñ itís one of the best ways to garner the respect of your colleagues and supervisors.î

ëMend your speech a little, lest you may mar your fortunesí says Lear to Cordelia in King Lear and many would do well to heed his words too. ìWhen you move into a new position, you should be aware of the necessity for thinking before you speak,î says Kevin.

ìBe wary of what you say and who you say it to, because you never know when something can come back to bite you. Itís likely that you will probably now be privy to some sensitive information, and you should be discreet with this knowledge. Likewise, you should be careful when indulging in office gossip. You donít need to suddenly stop speaking with colleagues, just take a slightly more cautious approach,î urges Kevin.

And if you struggle making the switch at first, stick with it and persevere, says Kevin. ìëAmbition should be made of sterner stuffí, says Antony in Julius Caesar. Have the confidence in your own ability to do the job. Almost everyone who is promoted will encounter difficulties at first ñ it is part of the challenge.î

ìWhen you take up the position, make sure there is some sort of benchmarking and evaluation of your performance in place,î continues Kevin. ìThis can be formal or informal, but it will be hugely constructive in helping you meet expectations, and will give you a good idea of how you are progressing.î

ìAlthough taking up a new position can be daunting, so long as you keep your wits about you and donít assume that youíre now on easy street, you should easily avoid the fate of Cassio. And who knows, you may also think of Shakespeare a little more fondly than you did in your schooldays!î

Established in Aberdeen in 1981, Carlton Resource Solutions (Carlton) has grown and developed to cover all geographic regions through its operational hubs in Aberdeen and London. Recruiting for a wide range of technical and non-technical opportunities, Carlton matches candidates to employers across the full spectrum of occupations in the accountancy and finance, commercial, HR and training, industrial, information technology, technical and engineering disciplines, in both public sector and other corporate environments. Carlton recruits for permanent, contract or temporary placements. For more information call 01224 650500 or visit: