Two months ago, I got a call from one of my previous students in Malaysia who was facing a tough career decision. He had quit his job impulsively after a disagreement with his manager, and now he wasn’t sure if he should try to mend things or move on to a new company. While we discussed his options, the conversation got me thinking about the advice I’d offer to someone early or mid-career in IT. So, I put together these ten rules that have served me well over the years.

1. Climbing the Ladder: It Takes More Than Just Being a Good Employee

You don’t become an executive by simply being the best employee. As Robert Kiyosaki highlights in his book Before You Quit Your Job, people tend to gravitate toward being employees or entrepreneurs. The education system, especially in places like Asia or the U.S., is designed to create employees who follow the rules, maximize existing resources, and work under someone’s direction. But if you’re aiming for the executive level, you need to think more like an entrepreneur who creates resources out of nothing and drives their own path. To break through to the executive ranks, you must move beyond being a good employee.

2. No Absolute Answers: It’s All About Perspective

There’s rarely one right answer to any question—it’s all about opinion shaped by ethics, legality, experience, and tradition. This might go against everything you learned in school, but that’s the reality of the workplace. Even something as straightforward as “How much is 2 + 2?” is rooted in a system developed over centuries. In different contexts, the answer might not be what you expect. If someone insists there’s only one way to do something, it usually just means that’s how they’ve always done it. Don’t be afraid to explore better ways.

3. Choose Your Battles Wisely

You’ll often encounter people who insist there’s only one way to do things. And while there’s almost always a better way, it’s not always worth figuring it out. The key is to prioritize—focus on improving what’s most important to you or your business. Not every battle is worth fighting, so save your energy for the ones that matter.

4. Experience Comes from Mistakes

The people who make the fewest mistakes are usually those with the most experience. But that experience comes from making—and learning from—lots of mistakes. Don’t be afraid to try new things and fail. That’s how you learn and grow. If you’re just copying what someone else does, you might do it well, but you won’t truly understand it. To adapt and thrive in changing conditions, you need to know why things work, not just how to do them.

5. Credibility Earns Attention

The more credibility you have, the more people will listen to you. This might seem obvious, but the path to building credibility can be tricky. Early in your career, focus on doing your best work and consistently exceeding expectations. This will gradually build your reputation and credibility.

6. Build Credibility Through Success, Not Criticism

As you build your career, concentrate on excelling in your work rather than pointing out others’ mistakes. When you first start out, it’s easy to get labeled as a troublemaker if you’re too critical without the experience to back it up. Instead, let your successes speak for themselves; over time, people will respect your opinions.

7. Titles Don’t Guarantee Respect—Your Work Does

A title might give you temporary credibility, but it won’t last if you don’t prove yourself. New managers or senior technical staff often expect their title to earn them respect. While it might give you a short-term benefit, that respect will fade if you don’t back it up with real results. Remember, you earn a title because of your credibility, not vice versa.

8. Follow Orders—But Learn from Them

The lower you are in an organization, the more you need to follow instructions. However, it’s essential to learn from every task you’re given, even if you don’t agree with how it’s done. Understanding why something is done a certain way—whether it’s a good reason or not—helps you grow. There’s always something to learn, even in tasks you might not enjoy.

9. Learn Something New Every Day

Every day offers a new learning opportunity if you’re open to it. Whether it’s something you should do or something you should avoid, every lesson is valuable. This continuous learning is what propels your career forward.

10. Enjoy the Journey

While it’s great to have long-term goals, don’t forget to enjoy where you are right now. The journey is just as important as the destination. The learning experiences, challenges, and even setbacks along the way are what make your career fulfilling. Embrace them, because they’re shaping the professional—and person—you’re becoming.

Final Thoughts

Navigating a career in IT, or any field, requires more than just technical skills. It’s about understanding people, building credibility, and learning from every experience. By following these ten rules, you can set yourself on a path not just to success but to a fulfilling and enjoyable career. So the next time you’re faced with a tough decision or a new challenge, remember these rules and keep moving forward.