Be professionally elastic

What I call professional elasticity is when you can stretch beyond your comfort zone, function well in a variety of situations and able to bounce back quickly from mistakes. Here are common ways your ‘elasticity’ can be tested and what you can do about it.

WORKING WITH A NEW BOSS: This usually brings anxiety because a new boss comes with their approaches, new priorities, different ways of working with people. It’s a time to study a new person all over again, to quickly adapt to new ways of doing things. But the arrival of a new boss could also be a time of opportunity. It might bring uncertainty but keep an open mind, be adaptable to change and as supportive as you can.

JOB DESCRIPTION KEEPS EVOLVING: Many job descriptions have a tagline ‘and any other duties that may be assigned from time to time’. A sweeping statement no doubt but the reality is your job is unlikely to stay the same for long. So don’t be so attached to your job description that you reject opportunities to step out and handle new assignments. Embrace any chance to have enriching experiences so that you’ll be ready to handle any tasks. The more versatile you are, the more stable your career will be.

PLACED WITH A TEAM OF HIGH ACHIEVERS: This can be daunting. Chances are that you have some unique skills to offer the team; be confident and use them. Also honestly and quickly assess where your gaps are and develop them. Don’t pretend to know what you do not know. Have a teachable attitude. Find a mentor if you feel you need one because it’s important to demonstrate that you intend to learn what you need to in order to do your best. Be upfront with your manager about help you need rather than wait for him or her to intervene due to underperformance.

HANDLING UNEXPECTED PROMOTION: Promotion is a good thing but can leave you on the back foot if you not well placed to make a success of it. If you have promotion thrust on you especially earlier than you were prepared for, first realize that you’ll probably be expected to work in a different way from what were doing so don’t expect to do more of the same at a higher level. Secondly, quickly develop a strategy to rapidly build higher level competencies. Thirdly focus on the right priorities, do work that matters in order to affirm the confidence placed in you.

LINE MANAGING SMART PEOPLE: Don’t panic thinking they will outshine you. Profit from their brilliance. Smart people are usually self motivated and need no hand holding. Don’t cramp their style by insisting on managing them if they don’t need it. Engage them in helping solve problems and doing what they are great at. Don’t let ego get in the way; you don’t have to be necessarily smarter than your people, but you definitely need to be a better manager of people and results.

Now take action: Identify three ways you can start to develop your versatility.