[Previous entry: "Watch Out for Tax Simplification"] [Blog Home] [Next entry: "Book Review: The World is Flat, by Thomas L. Friedman"]

10/21/2005 Entry:
We Don't Agree, But...

Sycophantastic

So you want to know how to get ahead? Well the only way to get a-head is to be born with one. For those who did not make it, you could use flattery, be a yes man or a yes woman, be a kiss-up. This is how the world's expert in flattery, the star of fawning, the woman who has made an art out of boss worship, Harriet Miers, managed to go from being an ordinary lawyer to a nominee for the top court in the land, the U.S. Supreme Court.

Sycophantastic!

Getting ahead is not that hard to do. Anybody is capable of accomplishing this. You just need to apply yourself. First, you find someone who is prominent but not too brilliant, and then you attach yourself to him. Here are the 4 basic stages to follow as you "build rapport" with your chosen one, your mentor, your hero:

  1. YES - When he asks you to do anything, always say "YES." Never say, "YES, BUT...."

  2. YES, SIR - There are many "YES"-people in the world, but not all of them make it. Saying "YES" alone is not enough. You boost "rapport" when you add a "SIR." This shows respect and everybody likes a little respect.

  3. YES, SIR....BRILLIANT IDEA - You get a little closer to your hero, when you add a little compliment, such as "This is a BRILLIANT IDEA." There are many other ways of saying this. They are all good as long as you make clear you love your hero's idea.

  4. YES, SIR....BRILLIANT IDEA....FROM A BRILLIANT MAN - You show respect, compliment the idea and compliment the man. What more could anyone want? When you reach this stage you are "in."
You have mastered the art of fawning. Sycophantastic!

Harriet Miers, in 1989, met Bush and in 1994 she was appointed to the transition team of Governor George W. Bush. While working for Bush as personal attorney, she wrote him a belated birthday card:

"You are the best governor ever - deserving of great respect!"

So in 1995, Bush appointed Miers to head the Texas Lottery Commission.

Sycophantastic!!

In 1998, Bush was running for governor again. He was worried about his missing 3 months of service in the National Guard. So he had his trusted Miers "investigate" this matter and the budding scandal didn't bud. So when 2000 arrived, Bush took Miers with him to the White House.

Sycophantastic!!!

Miers was White House counsel before being nominated to the Supreme Court. In July, Miers said:

"My admiration for the president's leadership and Mrs. Bush's leadership has been reaffirmed on virtually a daily basis."

She has said many other such wonderful words and referred often to Bush's "brilliance." So Bush nominated her to the U.S. Supreme Court.

SYCOPHANTASTIC!!!!

Home | Books | Blog | Learning Fountains | L.F. Directory | About me | Site Map

Copyright 2003 - 5 Paul Siegel. Your email address will not be used or sold for unwanted solicitations.