Listed here are some of my suggestions of how to get promoted, and does not represent the opinions of the officers council and the BB. Ultimately, following these tips does not garuantee a spot for promotion although the author feels these advices, should, be quite effective.
The Officers are always on the look out for leaders among a group of people. But what are the things that officers look at? Here is a guide for all of you which might gain you a stripe or two!
Core requirements :
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About 85% attendance during parades - If you are missing half the time, chances are you won't know what is going on. It is not probable that one can function effectively as a leader when he is always missing!
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Involvement in most BB functions - same reasons apply above, but with involvement in more functions means more experience which is crucial for leadership.
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Be Responsible - When you're in charge of something.. don't bail out. It will only minus trust on you. When something has been given to you, finish it and gain the respect.
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Outspoken and/or outgoing - Is it logical to think that officers will notice someone who has not done anything to highlight himself in the first place? A quiet and shallow guy cannot get the attention of the officers. When one is outspoken or outgoing or both, and if he behaves positively with his actions, the person will naturally gain the respect from his peers and officers.
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Shine in every BB program - This involves badgework, band, singspiration, drill and any other program. This is just to show you are capable of doing things properly which are signs of leadership.
Standard Requirements-
Must greet officers (and NCOs). This is to gain attention and make them know you exist. It is also to prove you're polite and friendly. Don't think that walking pass an officer without greeting him means he didn't see you - he always does. By not greeting him, you are only drawing negative attention to yourself. So it is either positive.. or negative attention.. should you greet or not.
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Must be enthusiatic with every aspect of the programs - everyone likes a person when he is fired up for a programme. That fire will influence others to do the same. These are aspects of a leader. On the other hand, if one shows a negative attitude, complaining all the time and refusing to coorporate, that will only draw negative attention onto yourself.
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Give constructive advise about an event - Everyone can talk and comment, but how is the tone? Is the advise constructive? An advise if presented with the wrong tone (bossy, arrogant) is not effective, eventhough it maybe constructive. People will tend to listen a someone when they give comments in a respectable tone. When they listen, you'll have successfully drawn your attention and gain positive respect - more if the comment works.
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Knowing your squad members and officers - It is obvious that you should make the officer know about what you do for the company, because if he doesn't, how can there be reason for them to promote you if they don't know what you do? Knowing your squad members is just a genuiene act to befriend them.. a way of gaining respect and support.
Mega Points for Promotion
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Organize an event. This doens't necesarily need to be BB functions. This is to prove to the Officers that you're capable of handling and organizing something big. Officers know it is not easy to cordinate an event as there are many things to handle. If the event is successful, it usually means you're able to juggle the situation effectively. An event also works with many people. It would mean you've shown abilitiy in delegating responsibility.
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Initiative. Initiative is defined as "not waiting for someone to tell you to do something, but acting on your own with few or minimal influence from anyone". Most leaders SHOULD be initiative (despite saying that some are 'outspoken leaders and some 'follower leaders').
Extra Points
- Make friends with BB members from outside the company.
- Excel in programs outside BB as well. For example, pursue club positions in school like president of the chess club, etc.
- Be very good in studies.
Effective, but not recommended-
"Polish the Officers Shoe" - This is the laziest but one of the most effective ways for promotion. It only requires you to pretend in fron of the officers. For example, when the officer is not present.. do whatever you want. But when the officer shows up, pretend to be a leader, carry chairs around, serve drinks to the officer, follow him for a movie and so on. Although this method is proven to work, it is not recommended as it'll only draw negative attention from your peers and should you, undeservingly get promoted and the others who deserve not get it, it will cause a mass resignation.
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Getting your dad to donate RM1000 to the company. This automatically draws the officers attention on you for a moderate period of time. It is not recommended as it might draw negative speculation that your parents bribed the officers for your promotion (this is not possible as BB is a Christian organization which does not conform to these things). However, it does highlight you and probably help the officers notice your otherwise unnoticed potential.
Somethings That Will NOT Get You Promoted.
- The opposite of everything above.
- Complaining for nothing.
- Being a puppet, coming in and out of the company with no certainty of a future.
- Only hoping for a promotion, but not doing anything about it.
- Having a bad reputation with everyone.
- Getting caught in a lie.
Hope this helps.