just ree

Yes, you want to climb the corporate ladder alright, but don't make the common mistake of bypassing or even neglecting the influence of the gatekeepers.

Yes, the gatekeepers are those experts (and insiders) in their respective departments like bookkeepers, assistants, secretaries, messengers, cafeteria employees, custodians. If you want to make it to the top, don't forget to network or at least be in good terms with people at the bottom rung. 

Why is that you may ask? Well, they may not be the ultimate decision makers, but they can be influential since they were the ones selected and filtered by the CEOs and bosses themselves. They usually got the inside information first-hand and trusted by their supervisors. They divide visitors, control information in an organization and sometimes, they even know some of the grapevine's top secrets we're privy to. See, they hold more power and clout than you realize.

So get these gatekeepers to be on your side. Treat them with respect and courtesy just like any professionals and not just like any other person's minion. Be kind to them since your image with them matters to them and their opinions on just about everyone are generally deemed reliable by their bosses because sometimes, they've been working there for a long time even before you came into the picture

If you want to retain a good reputation to others especially to the gatekeepers, treat them nicely as you want to be treated and refrain from being a demanding diva who orders them around. You can also nurture good relationships with them by not hanging out with the 'meanies' and corporate bullies who talk down and disrespect the gatekeepers.