Rule #1 From The Corner Office: Work Hard. Don't Give Up.

One of my favorite sections of the New York Times is a segment called Corner Office, which is a series of interviews of corporate executives (generally) conducted, abridged, and written by Adam Bryant. For the most part, the executives have insightful words of wisdom to share, including stories from their childhood revealing their initial impetus for going into business or mistakes they made in their first managerial role.

It makes one wonder though, with all this free guidance out there as to how to rise through the ranks of a corporation, what advice should I follow, especially when much of it is contradictory?

J.W. Marriott’s father provided him with little praise, while Bloomingdale’s quarterback Michael Gould speaks of compassion for employees. Other CEOs claim the only successful management style is to lead from behind and push your employees to success, while a score of others insist on being mavericks and pulling subordinates along with you. Which is correct?

Alan Mulally of Ford and Rakesh Kapoor of Reckitt Benckiser preach not to manage your career, but just imagine how you can contribute in the best possible way to each role. Others say to always keep an eye out for the next great opportunity.

A handful of CEOs strongly posit that they best method to success is hire the person on character and train for talent. Another group says the best employee is a Swiss Army Knife – one that can succeed in many roles. Still other executives claim that you need a very specific person to fill a gap in the company and the relevant skill set is the most important qualification.

Even Lloyd Blankfein, who is the CEO of some investment bank you've probably never heard of, says the two qualities he looks for in hires are “people who are willing and able to get very deeply involved in something. And at the same time I like people with broad interests…”

So what gives?

Amid the inconsistencies between CEOs and the variance of what makes a stellar employee, manager, and ultimately, executive, one quality does rise to the top: the importance of a strong work ethic and not capitulating to adverse circumstances. Many of these executives had jobs as teenagers or to put themselves through college. Blankfein himself sold drinks at Yankee Stadium at the age of 13. There’s not a CEO in there who says that hard work is not a key factor to success.

Well, if it's good enough for them, maybe I should get back to work…