What's Stopping You?: Why Smart People Don't Always Reach Their Potential, and How You Can

Networking Don’ts

And there are some clear “don’ts” when it comes to both networking and office behaviour generally, of which number one is “don’t mix sex and networking”. Being overly flirty changes the dynamic of a conversation, alienates everyone else in the group, is unprofessional and destroys reputations faster than any other trait bar theft or violence. Even if it appears to be initially successful, by using the prospect of sex as a means of advancement you are announcing that you have no other skills worth considering and should be judged as such.

Success by this route means being disliked and disrespected by your colleagues at all levels, which will ultimately place limits on your prospects. Let the cocky High-AMs trip up on this one. ...