From a somewhat disadvantaged upbringing, the author shares basic tried and true tips used during his career to successful progress from an entry level government position to the Senior Executive Service (SES), the highest level of management in the US Government. These tried-and-true tips are provided so that the reader does not have to "rediscover the wheel". These basic tips will jump-start a career and help climb the promotion ladder. The author attributes much of his success to hard work and the advice, guidance and encouragement from his spiritual parents. The author is the son of share-cropper parents and the third of six children. He was educated in segregated public elementary and secondary schools in North Carolina in the late 1950's and early 1960's. He is the first male in his family to graduate from college, a BS degree with honors from Elizabeth City State University, and a MS degree from George Washington University.