Delegates at association meetings will often ask the motivational speaker in Johannesburg about all kinds of corporate advice. Sometimes it is very applicable, other times it is downright bizarre as the meeting's motivational speaker might have never put his feet in the corporate world. Even worse than this is that many a motivational speaker will then proceed will all kinds of weird and wonderful advice without any frame of reference or practical experience in this regard. The positive vibe at an association meeting and resulting atmosphere can cloud good judgment and attentiveness. Guidelines are exactly what it says - it is not cast in stone. Make sure who you adopt as a mentor and who's advice you will rigorously acknowledge. Talking about advice - here is something to think about and shared by a respected CEO, Ronnie Watson, who started his career as a clerk in the same organization: ""Waiting to be promoted has got to be the downfall of many individuals. Companies perpetuate the problem by announcing: "We are pleased to advise that Joe has been promoted to..." Rubbish! If Joe was truly deserving of the promotion, then he promoted himself. This calls for a mindset change on both sides - employer and employee. In all my years of management I can truthfully not recall when I promoted a person - and the day I do, they need to take me to the retirement home. I am not just playing on the word 'promote', but if the onus was 100% on you to promote yourself, can you imagine the action and energy we would see emerging."