The Eight steps to Glory in a Workplace

1. Make relationships a priority. Invest time and energy into your existing relationships and the image others may have of you. Also repair damaged relationships, work at understanding others better and acknowledging their needs.
2. Don't overplay your personal agenda. The power of relationships is an effective way to promote your own agenda, but it also risks having others perceive you as self-serving and not a team player. Take care to ensure that advancing your agenda is not seen as a misuse of power.
3. Maximize your communication network. Consider the people you communicate with most. Is the information they're providing you unique or redundant? Expand your network and find people who may be untapped sources of information.
4. Be generous with information. Hiding information can have negative consequences, so share information broadly and with integrity. However, don't make the opposite mistake and pass on information that's confidential or too personal.
5. Be the expert. You can't have power unless there are people who perceive you as having power. To be viewed as having authentic "expert" power, be open about your experience, credentials and expertise.
6. Reward with words. Give positive feedback often. Experience with leaders across industries shows a ratio of four positives to every negative for a receiver to think feedback has been fair. This ratio illustrates the importance of praising the good deeds.
7. Punish with purpose. In today's complex global organizations, many employees are frustrated by the lack of accountability at all levels. When team members fail to meet expectations, corrective (but kind) feedback works wonders. Be explicit about consequences for behavior or results that fall short, and follow through consistently.
8. Teach others. Leverage your full power without hoarding it. If you want to empower the people you lead, teach them to use the power available to them.