I am. Although it was 25 years ago (!), I can still remember the rules:

1. Matching suits. As a woman in an executive position, your skirt must match your jacket - or your status might be mistaken as “less than.” I learned this the hard way.

2. Heels, not flats. Doesn’t matter if you never wear them, are uncomfortable in them, can’t walk in them. Heels, not flats.

3. Get a M.A.N. as a mentor and make sure he goes to bat for you. You cannot win without this. And yes, it’s about “winning.”

4. If someone drops the ball, do not pick it up for them. If you do pick it up, run it to the end zone yourself. Anything less than this will be considered “loser” behavior.

5. No one will pick up the ball for you.

6. In light of #5 and #4, do not, repeat, do not drop the ball.

7. Learn how to play the game.

8. Never forget that it’s a game.

9. Never let your guard down, because, no one else forgets it’s a game (#7).

10. Never never never never never never never never show your emotions.

Despite the distastefulness of the above list, I had allowed myself to be lulled into a stupor of corporate security,* until the company itself decided to move out of town - and not just out of town, but 900 miles away. A move wasn’t the right thing for my family at the time, so even though I was offered a moving package, I decided the time was right for me to stay put and start my own business. It was the best thing I ever did, and I’m so grateful for that kick in the pants from the Universe.

From what I hear, some of the rules haven’t changed all that much over the years. The matching suits are no longer required, but some nasty games are still being played.

In my own business
In my own business, I can pick up the ball when someone drops it, and give it back to them. There’s no game to learn, we just learn about our clients’ businesses. We can let our guards down - in fact, we never put them up. And yes, we get emotional from time to time. Ahhhh.

Did you leave your corporate job to work for yourself or start your own business? If so, there are 2 things you must do right away:

#1. Leave a reply to this post, telling us why. The world needs to know!

#2. Go to the brand new Corporate Fugitive Network and sign up! You’ll meet others like you for networking, resources, and support.

* there is no such thing as corporate security, as you well know