BINDRA: Does your organization play snakes and ladders?

Do you remember Snakes and Ladders? At the time when board games were pretty much the only indoor games we had, this one was a favorite. You tried to advance on a board by throwing dice; on your way, put ladders (which helped you jump several levels); and some naughty snakes (which made you tumble again).

Recently, I came across a version for the modern era (courtesy of damned.com). It's what's called "Corporate Snakes & Ladders" and it describes the hilarious journey from intern to CEO in a typical big company.

So what "ladders" meets our eager young intern – the things that drive you into higher grades without needing to wait for years? It was a very priceless list.

You can get a promotion quickly if the following conditions apply to you: you are ready to work on a Sunday; the CEO is your dad's friend; you join a working group that is evaluated by the higher echelons; or you ask a good (and probably safe) question in a town hall meeting that makes you notice by the CEO.

These things might jump you into middle management. From there, a new set of scales are available. You go even higher if: you suck bosses like a star; you get competitive job offers that you can use to get promotions; and you know how to win at office politics.

Now, let's look at snakes – the career-limiting pitfalls that await you. Earlier in your career, it would be: lies on your resume are discovered; HR receives complaints about you forget about "CYA" (ahem); or you get drunk during an offsite session and abuse your boss.

If you survive these and you go out to management, another set of perils may be on the lookout: the CEO does not like you; the economy is down and the board needs a scapegoat; you commit a regulatory offense and go to jail (this game was clearly not designed in Kenya!); you lose a power struggle in a meeting room; or the best of all – you fall for no reason …

True rings, huh? But are you laughing or crying?

In the midst of hilarity, it's worth stopping to think. Why are we building institutions like these? Because do not get me wrong, most of these things are true. I've seen just about it all, across organizations and across continents.