5 TV Role Models for Working Women
By Eileen Conlan
Who would have guessed that all that couch surfing and remote control fingering could actually advance your career? Anyone who’s watched Steve Carell’s painfully moronic regional manager Michael Scott on NBC’s The Office has no doubt learned a thing or two about what not to do when managing people. But what pragmatic advice can be gleaned from your favorite TV shows? In his new book, Find Your Inner Ugly Betty, Entertainment Weekly’s Tanner Stransky culls the most important TV-inspired workplace advice you need to know. By Eileen Conlan
Develop a Positive Brand
The Office, Ryan Howard, Branding Yourself, How to Brand Yourself, Slideshow, Blog, 0508
ryan howard, the office
Rule #1: Develop a Positive Brand\r\n\r\nTV scenario:\r\nI dont want to be, like, a guy here, you know? Like Stanley is the Crossword Puzzle Guy and Angela has cats. I dont want to have a thing here. Ryan Howard, The Office.\r\n\r\nReal Life Lesson: The distinctive habits you develop affect how youre perceived. Decide what your best strength is and play to it. \r\n
Pursue a hobby
Mary Tyler Moore, Mary Tyler Moore Show, Lessons for Work, Slideshow, Blog, 0508
mary tyler moore, the mary tyler moore show \r\n\r\n
Rule #2: Pursue a hobby\r\n\r\nTV Scenario:\r\nHey Rhoda, would you do me a favor? Please dont start treating me like Im in show business. I mean, Im still working in the newsroom, huh? This is just something Im doing for fun, OK? Mary Richards, telling her friend Rhoda about the new play in which shes been cast in on The Mary Tyler Moore Show\r\n\r\n\r\nReal Life Lesson:\r\n\r\nExtracurricular interests will help you blow off steam while propelling you forward professionally. Spend time networking outside of your industry.\r\n
Josh Radnor
Josh Radnor, How I Met Your Mother, Rules for Work, Slideshow, Blog, 0508
josh radnor, how i met your mother
Rule #3: Be Flexible\r\n\r\nTV Scenario: Ted Mosby, the architect on CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, often finds himself sneaking back into the office for late-night work sessions. \r\n\r\nReal Life Lesson: \r\nOvertime can take you to the next level, or at least score you some perks. Check your firms official policy about comp time or flex time. Some companies offer additional vacation days for overtime. \r\n
Beware of Office Love
Ellen Pompeo, Gray\'s Anatomy, Grays Anatomy, Office Love, Love with a Coworker, Sex with a Coworker, Slideshow, Blog, 0508
ellen pompeo
Rule #4: Beware of Office Love\r\n\r\nTV Scenario:\r\n\r\nDid you let me scrub in for this operation because I slept with you?Meredith Grey, questioning how her relationship with Dr. Derek Shepard may be dubiously benefiting her at work on Greys Anatomy\r\n\r\nReal Life Lesson:\r\nBad idea. Avoid romantic entanglements at work. If you must, nix public displays of affection and keep non-business related communication to a minimum. If necessary, disclose the romance to a superior.\r\n
Keep Learning
America Ferera, Ugly Betty, Find Your Inner Ugly Betty, Slideshow, Blog, 0508
america ferrera
Rule #5: Keep Learning\r\n\r\nTV Scenario:\r\n\r\nThis class is phase one of my career: I write, I get published, I work my way to editor, and then I can run a magazine. Ugly Bettys Betty Suarez, on a writing class shes taking at lunch\r\n\r\nReal Life Lesson:\r\nFurthering your professional education is always a shrewd move if youre looking to advance your career. Carefully assess what skills you still need to acquire before jumping into costly continued education courses. And find out whether your firm will reimburse you for the effort. \r\n
Dont buckle.
Tina Fey, 30 Rock, Liz Lemon, Slideshow, Blog, 0508
tina fey, screenwriter
Rule #6: Dont buckle.\r\n\r\nTV Scenario: On NBCs 30 Rock, Tina Feys Liz Lemon is regularly dressed-down by Jack, but she doesnt let him knock her down. \r\nLiz says, Im the one who always has to clean up the mess afterwards! Jack: Thats why my job is so much better than yours.\r\n\r\nLife Lesson:\r\nDont crack under pressure if a co-worker bullies you, or try to make your job seem less important than theirs. Channel your energy into your work, the way Liz does every time. \r\n
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