Why it could help your career

Anthony Balderrama, CareerBuilder.com writer

In film and literature, the villains are the most entertaining characters. We root for good to triumph over evil and we're connected to the protagonist, but we're most interested in the bad guy.

Think about classic films and pick out the best characters. In "The Wizard of Oz," I'm glad Dorothy ends up with her family, but the Wicked Witch and her winged simians were the coolest part of the story. In "Psycho," the focus is on creepy Norman Bates. Let's face it, being bad is fun.

CareerBuilder.com writer

Ever been caught talking with your mouth full at a business luncheon? Have you ever shared an uncomfortable silence with a co-worker you don't know well? Ever been "caught with your pants down" on a business trip where you weren't fashionably prepared?

Such are three (of many) situations that present themselves in the working world. As professionals, we face many a moment when we're caught unprepared with nowhere to turn.

The Creative Group

If you're willing to "go white water rafting," "navigate a maze through a cornfield" or "take an improvisational comedy class" with your co-workers, you might be setting yourself up for career success. Taking part in team-building activities -- even those considered optional -- can provide a boost to your career. The examples above are just some of the responses from a survey by The Creative Group that asked executives to describe the wackiest or most unusual team-building activities they have participated in. Other responses include:

Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.com

It's a Friday afternoon in the office. You're in the TGIF mood, looking forward to the weekend ahead. Fast-forward to Sunday. You're feeling a little (or a lot) depressed, dreading the thought of going back to work the next day. You've thought about calling in sick (even though you're not), you've bent the ears of friends and family about workplace issues, and you've re-lived hurtful comments or snubs from bosses and co-workers. What gives?

Many people aren't in touch with why they are feeling either indifferent or dreadful when they're at work or thinking about their work, says Steve McCann, founder of Florida-based McCann Research Corporation, an organization committed to the discovery and development of human potential.

CareerBuilder.com

We all do it: release an extra snicker at a joke, give a casual compliment or have the inclination to agree. We all like to hand the boss a little extra attention, secretly hoping it makes us look better in her eyes. But there are those who do it well and come off as polished and respectful, and those who are just hopelessly obvious yes-men.

Here are some tips on being a stealthy suck-up: