Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques 275. Cracking the Code: Learn The Unspoken Rules of Workplace Success
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Mar 26, 2026 
Erin McGoff, career creator and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, breaks down the hidden rules of work. She talks about workplace etiquette, confidence, first impressions, and building a professional brand. The conversation also explores interviews, body language, setting boundaries, and asking for raises or promotions with more strategy.
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The Hidden Curriculum Behind Workplace Success
- Erin McGoff says work has a hidden curriculum of etiquette and phrasing that signals competence but is rarely taught explicitly.
- Her book translates unwritten rules like shaking hands, negotiating politely, and quitting professionally into usable scripts.
Build Confidence From Self Talk And Skill
- Build confidence by changing your self-talk, raising your baseline over time instead of treating confidence as all-or-nothing.
- Erin McGoff recommends reframing harsh internal commentary, surrounding yourself with supportive people, and getting really good at your craft.
Set Your Professional Brand In The First 24 Hours
- Shape your professional brand deliberately by doing great work, being easy to work with, and setting expectations early.
- Erin McGoff says the first 24 hours matter, boundaries teach others how to treat you, and under-promising helps you over-deliver.
