The BRO Code at Work

Show up on time, every time.

Half of a good reputation is being where you said you would be.

Learn everyone's name, including the cleaning crew.

Do the job you have like it's the job you want.

Nobody promotes the guy who did great work only on the fun parts.

Own your mistakes fast.

"I messed that up, here is the fix" ends the conversation. Excuses start a new one.

Write things down.

The shortest pencil beats the longest memory.

Answer messages within a day.

Even if it is only "Got it, back to you Thursday."

Help the new person.

You were new once, and somebody showed you where the coffee was.

Leave the break room cleaner than you found it.

The office fridge has seen things. Do not add to its trauma.

Ask "what does good look like?"

It is the most useful question in the building.

Praise in public and fix problems in private.

If it's going to be late, say so early.

Nobody likes surprises, except at birthday parties.

Dress one notch better than you need to.

It is easier to take the tie off than to wish you had worn one.

Take your lunch break.

Your brain needs to put the pencil down. Walk outside. Eat something green.

Don't gossip about coworkers.

The office has thin walls and a long memory.

Don't reply-all.

Ninety percent of reply-alls are how one person annoys forty.

Don't take credit for someone else's work.

It always comes out, usually in the worst possible meeting.

Don't heat fish in the office microwave.

Some crimes are not in the handbook only because nobody thought they needed to be.

Don't scroll your phone in meetings.

Everyone can see you. Everyone can see your screen in the window reflection.

Don't complain without a suggestion.

A complaint with a solution is a proposal. Without one, it is just weather.

Don't burn bridges when you leave.

Give notice, train your replacement, shake hands. The world is small.

Don't bring drama from home into the office.

Leave it in the car. It will be there when you get back.

Don't say "that's not my job."

Say "let me find who can help." Same result, better reputation.

Don't overpromise to look good.

Underpromise, overdeliver. The oldest trick is still the best one.

Don't send the angry email.

Write it, delete it, walk around the building, then call.

Don't treat the boss better than the receptionist.

The receptionist knows everything and remembers who was nice.

Don't stay late just to be seen.

Do great work in the hours you have, then go home to your family.