What do you consider to be your purpose in your organisation? Many would say they are there to do a job. Fair enough but being a job holder is not good enough. When you act like just a jobholder, you get lost in the ‘average’ crowd and make it difficult for your superiors to entrust you with anything important. Don’t leave yourself behind; Play your ‘A’ game. Here are some ways to start.
MAKE YOUR WORK IMPORTANT: If you see your job as’ just a job’ and do it as such, you could end up on the margins of the organisation or even let go if the organisation is not getting what it needs from you. Don’t just hold the job, run with it, take pride in your work and give it your very best. Stay on your toes and ensure that your output contributes to what makes the organisation tick and perform well.
BE ESSENTIAL TO YOUR ORGANISATION: And not just in your job. There are two types of essential people in any organisation. The first group are those in positions considered critical and the second are those who become so by virtue of their contributions. When you are essential you don’t limit your assignment to that under your authority. You push yourself and let people know from your attitude and results that you will never let them down or get involved in triviality.
SHOW RANGE: You don’t have to be a jack of all trades but need to show versatility Have a body of work that includes everything you create, effect and impact positively. Your knowledge, experiences and accomplishments should tell the story that you are evolving and growing in terms of the depth and breadth of your contributions and increasing level of responsibility.
ALWAYS TRIUMPH: Triumph suggests difficulty, hurdles, even obstacles. You need to be seen as someone who can get the job done no matter what is happening around them or the challenges you face. Most people can do their job well where things are plain sailing but can you do as well when things are stacked against you? You must give confidence that you persevere and come through whatever difficulties you meet.
BE A THIUGHT LEADER: When an organisation does not generate enough new thinking to drive improvements it becomes stale. So consistent improvement should be your philosophy. You must always be aware of the challenges that your organisation or team is grappling with and engage with it. Keep up with trends so that you can add your insights. Set time aside to do some quality thinking and propose ideas worth listening to.
Now take action: What one new additional responsibility will you take on?
Showing posts with label professionalism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label professionalism. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Don't ignore the 'crap' in your job
Every job has some; a bit of ‘crap’, the bits that you dread and wish would go away? Guess what, those bits are unlikely to disappear so face it and take it in your stride. Will it be easy? Probably not but important. Here are some tips.
ACCEPT THAT THERE IS SOME ‘CRAP’ IN YOUR JOB: You will never get a job that is full of all the things you like to do. For most people ‘crap’ is the part of the job they don’t like doing or elements they don’t do well. Always look past the glamorous or interesting parts of your job to do what needs doing. You have to take the good bits with the ‘bad’.
IDENTIFY WHAT THE ‘CRAP’ IS: Don’t lump it all together and get trapped in defeating mindsets like ‘my job sucks’. If you really can’t find anything in your job you value or enjoy, move on rather than stick around and give your employer sub standard work, stress yourself daily or be one of the people that employers wish they didn’t have around. The fact that you don’t enjoy doing them does not mean they are not important.
FOCUS ON THE ‘CRAP’ ON PURPOSE: Because you don’t like the ‘crap’ there’s every chance that you will ignore it which will mean you’ll end up not doing your full job or do it well. Figure out how you can motivate yourself to specifically to get these done. Remember you are not getting paid just for doing the things you like, you are expected to do the full job.
REINVENT THE ‘CRAP’: Sometimes things can be feel like ‘crap’ because you are trying to do them the way they’ve always been done which may not necessarily be the most effective way to do them. Think about how to get the ‘crap’ done without it overwhelming you or draining energy.
Now take action: How can you manage better the parts of your job you don’t enjoy?
ACCEPT THAT THERE IS SOME ‘CRAP’ IN YOUR JOB: You will never get a job that is full of all the things you like to do. For most people ‘crap’ is the part of the job they don’t like doing or elements they don’t do well. Always look past the glamorous or interesting parts of your job to do what needs doing. You have to take the good bits with the ‘bad’.
IDENTIFY WHAT THE ‘CRAP’ IS: Don’t lump it all together and get trapped in defeating mindsets like ‘my job sucks’. If you really can’t find anything in your job you value or enjoy, move on rather than stick around and give your employer sub standard work, stress yourself daily or be one of the people that employers wish they didn’t have around. The fact that you don’t enjoy doing them does not mean they are not important.
FOCUS ON THE ‘CRAP’ ON PURPOSE: Because you don’t like the ‘crap’ there’s every chance that you will ignore it which will mean you’ll end up not doing your full job or do it well. Figure out how you can motivate yourself to specifically to get these done. Remember you are not getting paid just for doing the things you like, you are expected to do the full job.
REINVENT THE ‘CRAP’: Sometimes things can be feel like ‘crap’ because you are trying to do them the way they’ve always been done which may not necessarily be the most effective way to do them. Think about how to get the ‘crap’ done without it overwhelming you or draining energy.
Now take action: How can you manage better the parts of your job you don’t enjoy?
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Will you pass the 3 way test?
Most people only care about what their boss thinks. But for long term career progress you’ll want to take interest in what others think too. Your work is judged every day by several people. Here are 3 groups whose views should matter to you.
YOUR PEERS: Your peers are probably the ones you work most closely with and who have direct experience of your work. What they think is important because their direct feedback can be available to you day to day and that feedback can help you improve your work as you do it. If your peers think highly of your work, you are on the right track.
YOUR SUPERIORS: These are more than your direct manager. They are people above you in the hierarchy, the ones who make decisions about your future. And that’s not the only reason why you should take their opinions seriously; you should because they operate at a higher level and have a broader view of how your work contributes at an organisational level. Such views are critical as they demonstrate the extended value of your contribution beyond your team.
YOUR COLLEAGUES: These are those who are neither peers in terms of rank nor your bosses. And many people make the mistake of ignoring the people less senior to them. Often because they feel they don’t need these colleagues. They may not have a direct say on your career prospects but their suggestions can help you lead well. If you aim to become a better leader you can’t do that without listening to a range of views. Also, although you may not manage these colleagues, you have a responsibility to set a good example, be the leader they want to look up to.
Now take action: What would you like your peers to say about your work?
YOUR PEERS: Your peers are probably the ones you work most closely with and who have direct experience of your work. What they think is important because their direct feedback can be available to you day to day and that feedback can help you improve your work as you do it. If your peers think highly of your work, you are on the right track.
YOUR SUPERIORS: These are more than your direct manager. They are people above you in the hierarchy, the ones who make decisions about your future. And that’s not the only reason why you should take their opinions seriously; you should because they operate at a higher level and have a broader view of how your work contributes at an organisational level. Such views are critical as they demonstrate the extended value of your contribution beyond your team.
YOUR COLLEAGUES: These are those who are neither peers in terms of rank nor your bosses. And many people make the mistake of ignoring the people less senior to them. Often because they feel they don’t need these colleagues. They may not have a direct say on your career prospects but their suggestions can help you lead well. If you aim to become a better leader you can’t do that without listening to a range of views. Also, although you may not manage these colleagues, you have a responsibility to set a good example, be the leader they want to look up to.
Now take action: What would you like your peers to say about your work?
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Stop the career cobwebs
Cobwebs are a sign of staleness and usually found in ceilings but trust me cobwebs can grow in your career too if you ‘stay put’; content to do what you’ve always done day in day out. Here are some tips for preventing cobwebs from stalling your career.
AVOID THE DAY TO DAY APPROACH: When you think about your work-life only day to day, you lose sight of what you need to do today to better your future or indeed what the long term impact of your day to day decisions are likely to be. For example, if you are a supervisor wanting to become manager, you need to understand what is required of a manager and start demonstrating potential at that level; even find a mentor to guide you so that when an opening comes you’re ready to apply. Be smart day to day but strategic in planning your advancement long term.
DON’T SIT ON YOUR LAURELS: If your proudest achievements happened more than two years ago, you’re courting cobwebs. Be proud of your successes but don’t stay stuck reminiscing over them. Research shows that employers look at a CV for an average of 10 seconds so you’ve got to make sure you have fresh accomplishments to include annually. Never settle, demand more of yourself and move to your next level so that you can present yourself always in a positive light.
DEVELOP A SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE: Learn to do a couple of things very well so that you can always reflect excellence in some aspect of what you do. Continually learn and acquire new knowledge so that you demonstrate you are abreast of trends or developments in your field. Be known as a person who’s principled, does their best and learns from their mistakes.
TREAT EVERYONE WITH RESPECT: As they say’ what goes round comes around.’ The power of what others have to say about you can sometimes make or break you. If you don’t like someone for whatever reason don’t let it show and don’t say bad things about them behind their back- it could come back to bite you. Be gracious and generous with your comments about other people.
Now take action: Where in your career do you need some new successes?
AVOID THE DAY TO DAY APPROACH: When you think about your work-life only day to day, you lose sight of what you need to do today to better your future or indeed what the long term impact of your day to day decisions are likely to be. For example, if you are a supervisor wanting to become manager, you need to understand what is required of a manager and start demonstrating potential at that level; even find a mentor to guide you so that when an opening comes you’re ready to apply. Be smart day to day but strategic in planning your advancement long term.
DON’T SIT ON YOUR LAURELS: If your proudest achievements happened more than two years ago, you’re courting cobwebs. Be proud of your successes but don’t stay stuck reminiscing over them. Research shows that employers look at a CV for an average of 10 seconds so you’ve got to make sure you have fresh accomplishments to include annually. Never settle, demand more of yourself and move to your next level so that you can present yourself always in a positive light.
DEVELOP A SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE: Learn to do a couple of things very well so that you can always reflect excellence in some aspect of what you do. Continually learn and acquire new knowledge so that you demonstrate you are abreast of trends or developments in your field. Be known as a person who’s principled, does their best and learns from their mistakes.
TREAT EVERYONE WITH RESPECT: As they say’ what goes round comes around.’ The power of what others have to say about you can sometimes make or break you. If you don’t like someone for whatever reason don’t let it show and don’t say bad things about them behind their back- it could come back to bite you. Be gracious and generous with your comments about other people.
Now take action: Where in your career do you need some new successes?
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Make your work more meaningful
Ever felt like your work was too mundane, does not contribute to anything worthy of note or simply unfulfilling? What would make you feel proud at the end of each day of work? It takes having a new perspective on your job and seeing what you might do to make it more fulfilling. Here are some thoughts;
BE CLEAR WHAT MEANINGFUL WORK IS TO YOU : What is a great job to one person is a lousy one to another. Understand what engages you and take ownership of the work and full responsibility for executing tasks. Take charge of the ‘how’ of getting your work done so that you can be more creative side. Accept that achieving job satisfaction is your responsibility.
SHARE IN THE PROCESS OF LEADERSHIP: Note I did not say ‘position’ of leadership. Process means you act like a leader and do your best with whatever you are entrusted with. Don’t take a ‘checklist’ approach to your work because the things that are impactful require personal leadership, not ticking off tasks. Being in a job that makes you feel lousy can be stressful so find a way to inspire yourself, be inventive and push your boundaries. Don’t be a stereotype.
UNDERSTAND YOUR ‘WHY’: We all tend to put energy and passion into what is important to us, things that speak to our values. When you know what makes you tick, you can set high expectations for yourself knowing you are committed to doing whatever it takes. Cover the basics on any job but reject the mundane-ness. Approach your work with purpose and bring your best efforts to it.
BELIEVE IN YOUR VALUE: Sometimes we move away from what we are good at naturally, to pursue roles that come with status but which we’ll at best be ‘average’ at. Believe in your strengths and use them. Build a reputation as someone comfortable in your own skin with a sense of mission. Constantly evaluate yourself so as to be continuously resourceful.
Now take action: What can you do to become more excited about your work?.
BE CLEAR WHAT MEANINGFUL WORK IS TO YOU : What is a great job to one person is a lousy one to another. Understand what engages you and take ownership of the work and full responsibility for executing tasks. Take charge of the ‘how’ of getting your work done so that you can be more creative side. Accept that achieving job satisfaction is your responsibility.
SHARE IN THE PROCESS OF LEADERSHIP: Note I did not say ‘position’ of leadership. Process means you act like a leader and do your best with whatever you are entrusted with. Don’t take a ‘checklist’ approach to your work because the things that are impactful require personal leadership, not ticking off tasks. Being in a job that makes you feel lousy can be stressful so find a way to inspire yourself, be inventive and push your boundaries. Don’t be a stereotype.
UNDERSTAND YOUR ‘WHY’: We all tend to put energy and passion into what is important to us, things that speak to our values. When you know what makes you tick, you can set high expectations for yourself knowing you are committed to doing whatever it takes. Cover the basics on any job but reject the mundane-ness. Approach your work with purpose and bring your best efforts to it.
BELIEVE IN YOUR VALUE: Sometimes we move away from what we are good at naturally, to pursue roles that come with status but which we’ll at best be ‘average’ at. Believe in your strengths and use them. Build a reputation as someone comfortable in your own skin with a sense of mission. Constantly evaluate yourself so as to be continuously resourceful.
Now take action: What can you do to become more excited about your work?.
Friday, July 1, 2011
Beware self sabotage
There are many ways we sabotage ourselves without realising it. Here are some of the ways we shoot ourselves in the foot.
LACK OF SELF AWARENESS: When you are not self aware you are unable to play to your strengths, make up for your weak areas or show your best side. Worse, you might be oblivious to the negative impact you may be having on other people. Self awareness enables you to head in the right direction and to avoid making the same mistakes. People who know who they are, are better able to manage interactions and professional relationships more effectively.
NOT KEEPING SKILLS CURENT: When was the last time you read a book, a professional magazine?. What new knowledge have you gathered since your school days? Self learning is a quick, smart way to grow; don’t leave your personal and professional development to your employer. Be prepared to fund training you know will help you. To advance yourself don’t only depend only on the learning that happens ‘organically’. Read good material, shadow someone with the skills you need, volunteer to work on a project that will give you new experiences; that’s fast track learning at minimum cost.
IGNORING MENTORING MOMENTS: Everybody regardless of their status can learn something new. When you are not open to being mentored, you lose a first rate opportunity to develop some practical skills. Learn from whoever and wherever you can. Mentoring doesn’t have to be over a period. It can take a moment. For example observing how that person makes a presentation fun, the way a colleague turns a potentially volatile situation around; joining the team of that high achiever to stretch yourself are all mentoring moments that will teach you a lot. Look out for such opportunities.
UNDERESTIMATING YOURSELF: Why do people do this? lack of confidence, low self esteem? Perhaps. There’s always more that you can do or become. Don’t take yourself for granted. Time to upgrade! List a few areas where you have been truly successful in the past; retrace your steps and identify how you can apply what worked in the past. Do you still have the ‘knack’? you probably do. Let that give you confidence. Where your success is concerned, jump in with both feet. If you put a small value on yourself, no-one else is unlikely to lift you higher.
STAYING TOO LONG IN THE COMFORT ZONE: It’s nice to be doing something you love, are good at and comfortable with. But riding this wave too long could stall your career. If you are good at something, take it to the next level; for example by pulling together a ‘how to’, checklist, a short course on how to do that activity and teach it to others; that way you move from ‘doer’ to a teacher or coach. Choose to swim in bigger waters even if you have to swim against the tide occasionally!
Now take action: Reflect and write down 3 things you are really good at.
LACK OF SELF AWARENESS: When you are not self aware you are unable to play to your strengths, make up for your weak areas or show your best side. Worse, you might be oblivious to the negative impact you may be having on other people. Self awareness enables you to head in the right direction and to avoid making the same mistakes. People who know who they are, are better able to manage interactions and professional relationships more effectively.
NOT KEEPING SKILLS CURENT: When was the last time you read a book, a professional magazine?. What new knowledge have you gathered since your school days? Self learning is a quick, smart way to grow; don’t leave your personal and professional development to your employer. Be prepared to fund training you know will help you. To advance yourself don’t only depend only on the learning that happens ‘organically’. Read good material, shadow someone with the skills you need, volunteer to work on a project that will give you new experiences; that’s fast track learning at minimum cost.
IGNORING MENTORING MOMENTS: Everybody regardless of their status can learn something new. When you are not open to being mentored, you lose a first rate opportunity to develop some practical skills. Learn from whoever and wherever you can. Mentoring doesn’t have to be over a period. It can take a moment. For example observing how that person makes a presentation fun, the way a colleague turns a potentially volatile situation around; joining the team of that high achiever to stretch yourself are all mentoring moments that will teach you a lot. Look out for such opportunities.
UNDERESTIMATING YOURSELF: Why do people do this? lack of confidence, low self esteem? Perhaps. There’s always more that you can do or become. Don’t take yourself for granted. Time to upgrade! List a few areas where you have been truly successful in the past; retrace your steps and identify how you can apply what worked in the past. Do you still have the ‘knack’? you probably do. Let that give you confidence. Where your success is concerned, jump in with both feet. If you put a small value on yourself, no-one else is unlikely to lift you higher.
STAYING TOO LONG IN THE COMFORT ZONE: It’s nice to be doing something you love, are good at and comfortable with. But riding this wave too long could stall your career. If you are good at something, take it to the next level; for example by pulling together a ‘how to’, checklist, a short course on how to do that activity and teach it to others; that way you move from ‘doer’ to a teacher or coach. Choose to swim in bigger waters even if you have to swim against the tide occasionally!
Now take action: Reflect and write down 3 things you are really good at.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Don't be career lazy
When you say you want a successful career, what are you doing to make that happen? What are you taking charge of and what are you looking to others to help you with? Here are some suggestions to keep your career moving.
DEFINE YOUR SUCCESS: The people who contribute to your success will be many but only you must define what constitutes success. Is it a well paying job? a role where you get to do what interests you even if the pay is not great? Determine how you will measure success so that you can know how well you are doing.
FIRM UP CREDIBILITY EARLY: Successful careers are not built on fluff or one day wonders. It’s about creating confidence in your ability to do a job and actually doing it to the level required. It’s also about your character and your sense of integrity, how you handle difficult times and how consistent you are in producing great results.
DOCUMENT ACHIEVEMENTS: Most people only think of achievements when they are looking for a job; dig up their CV and frantically try to remember all their successes. Learn to write down your achievements as they happen so that you can leverage them. When you document your victories no matter how small, you show you are a person who has focus and demanding of yourself.
UPGRADE COMPETENCIES: When was the last time you read a book, took a course or identified a way to improve your abilities?. Improving yourself is primarily your responsibility. Your employer might help you develop some skills but not everything you need to succeed in your career. Determine the skills you need for the long term and make the necessary investments. Keep a training log to map your progress.
DEMONSTRATE VALUE: Guess what? A career is not a string of all the jobs you have held. It’s how they add up to give you profile, a track record that you can leverage further. Don’t just plod in the same job forever or hop from job to job in the hope something will turn out well. Seek to positively influence others with your Inspiration, wisdom, enthusiasm and creativity.
TAKE PRESSURE ON THE CHIN: Pressure comes in all forms and sooner than you think so be ever ready. You’ll have to prove your worth long before you get that big job, you may have to do a two week assignment in half the time or deliver that programme on a tight budget. Handle pressure by prioritising and focussing on finding solutions with what you resources you have.
HOLD SOMEONE'S HAND: As you rise you’ll get to be in charge of others and it no longer becomes about you only. Your performance starts being judged by what you’re enabling others to achieve. Even if you are not directly in charge of others, you can positively influence others with your Inspiration, wisdom, enthusiasm, Creativity. Learn to step back sometimes from centre stage and let others shine.
Now take action: Identify 3 steps you can you take to manage your career better
DEFINE YOUR SUCCESS: The people who contribute to your success will be many but only you must define what constitutes success. Is it a well paying job? a role where you get to do what interests you even if the pay is not great? Determine how you will measure success so that you can know how well you are doing.
FIRM UP CREDIBILITY EARLY: Successful careers are not built on fluff or one day wonders. It’s about creating confidence in your ability to do a job and actually doing it to the level required. It’s also about your character and your sense of integrity, how you handle difficult times and how consistent you are in producing great results.
DOCUMENT ACHIEVEMENTS: Most people only think of achievements when they are looking for a job; dig up their CV and frantically try to remember all their successes. Learn to write down your achievements as they happen so that you can leverage them. When you document your victories no matter how small, you show you are a person who has focus and demanding of yourself.
UPGRADE COMPETENCIES: When was the last time you read a book, took a course or identified a way to improve your abilities?. Improving yourself is primarily your responsibility. Your employer might help you develop some skills but not everything you need to succeed in your career. Determine the skills you need for the long term and make the necessary investments. Keep a training log to map your progress.
DEMONSTRATE VALUE: Guess what? A career is not a string of all the jobs you have held. It’s how they add up to give you profile, a track record that you can leverage further. Don’t just plod in the same job forever or hop from job to job in the hope something will turn out well. Seek to positively influence others with your Inspiration, wisdom, enthusiasm and creativity.
TAKE PRESSURE ON THE CHIN: Pressure comes in all forms and sooner than you think so be ever ready. You’ll have to prove your worth long before you get that big job, you may have to do a two week assignment in half the time or deliver that programme on a tight budget. Handle pressure by prioritising and focussing on finding solutions with what you resources you have.
HOLD SOMEONE'S HAND: As you rise you’ll get to be in charge of others and it no longer becomes about you only. Your performance starts being judged by what you’re enabling others to achieve. Even if you are not directly in charge of others, you can positively influence others with your Inspiration, wisdom, enthusiasm, Creativity. Learn to step back sometimes from centre stage and let others shine.
Now take action: Identify 3 steps you can you take to manage your career better
Sunday, November 28, 2010
How relevant are you?
Relevance is a notch above just having skills and competencies. It’s combining them with the right attitude, mindset and application in a way that brings value to the role or organization, So how relevant are you? Try this quick relevance audit
WHAT DO YOU HAVE THAT OTHERS CARE ABOUT? You must be clear what you offer but it’s more important to know what others think you bring. Sometimes the two may not the same and that’s ok as long as both are positive. Listen out for both formal and informal feedback from colleagues and others in order to know what they value in you.
HOW NIMBLE ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL ASSETS? Most people have more skills than these use on their regular job. Relevance requires that you hone even the skills you don’t apply daily so that you are able to deploy them when needed. What assets have you put on the backburner? Keep it on low heat but be ready to turn up the heat when necessary.
CAN YOU ENGAGE INTELLIGENTLY IN MORE THAN ONE AREA? Organizations have to be agile and can’t afford employees who pigeonhole themselves. Of course you can’t be a ‘Jack of all trades’ and neither should you be a ‘one lane operator’. What else can you offer besides what your job description demands? Have a forte but choose to be diverse in what you can be counted on to do.
ARE YOU AWARE OF WHAT MATTERS MOST IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT? Sometimes people insist on applying only what they know and can do and hope that it’ll enough. Very often it’s not so make it a point to keep abreast of how agendas are shifting in order to align accordingly and tune into making top priorities happen.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF YOUR ROLE? This calls for appreciating the purpose of your role beyond the activities you do daily. For example if you are a customer service person, being pleasant is part of your job, but the wider purpose is to act to give customers a good experience of your organization so that they do more business with you.
ARE YOU ENSURING YOUR CAPACITY TO DELIVER? How do you demonstrate that you are capable and dependable? End any obsession with doing only what is convenient. If things move very fast in your workplace, chances are you can’t do only what’s convenient for you. It does not mean you take on more than you can handle. It means you learn to quickly drill down to the important.
HOW MUCH GIVE AND TAKE DO YOU PRACTICE? Work isn’t a one way street. It’s a team game. Give and take always yield quicker progress and fosters exchange of ideas enriching the end product. Remember your job isn’t just about getting tasks done, it’s also about drawing on all the positive contributions you can enlist to get the best result.
Now take action: On a scale of 1-10, 10 being highest, what did you score?
WHAT DO YOU HAVE THAT OTHERS CARE ABOUT? You must be clear what you offer but it’s more important to know what others think you bring. Sometimes the two may not the same and that’s ok as long as both are positive. Listen out for both formal and informal feedback from colleagues and others in order to know what they value in you.
HOW NIMBLE ARE YOUR PROFESSIONAL ASSETS? Most people have more skills than these use on their regular job. Relevance requires that you hone even the skills you don’t apply daily so that you are able to deploy them when needed. What assets have you put on the backburner? Keep it on low heat but be ready to turn up the heat when necessary.
CAN YOU ENGAGE INTELLIGENTLY IN MORE THAN ONE AREA? Organizations have to be agile and can’t afford employees who pigeonhole themselves. Of course you can’t be a ‘Jack of all trades’ and neither should you be a ‘one lane operator’. What else can you offer besides what your job description demands? Have a forte but choose to be diverse in what you can be counted on to do.
ARE YOU AWARE OF WHAT MATTERS MOST IN YOUR ENVIRONMENT? Sometimes people insist on applying only what they know and can do and hope that it’ll enough. Very often it’s not so make it a point to keep abreast of how agendas are shifting in order to align accordingly and tune into making top priorities happen.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF YOUR ROLE? This calls for appreciating the purpose of your role beyond the activities you do daily. For example if you are a customer service person, being pleasant is part of your job, but the wider purpose is to act to give customers a good experience of your organization so that they do more business with you.
ARE YOU ENSURING YOUR CAPACITY TO DELIVER? How do you demonstrate that you are capable and dependable? End any obsession with doing only what is convenient. If things move very fast in your workplace, chances are you can’t do only what’s convenient for you. It does not mean you take on more than you can handle. It means you learn to quickly drill down to the important.
HOW MUCH GIVE AND TAKE DO YOU PRACTICE? Work isn’t a one way street. It’s a team game. Give and take always yield quicker progress and fosters exchange of ideas enriching the end product. Remember your job isn’t just about getting tasks done, it’s also about drawing on all the positive contributions you can enlist to get the best result.
Now take action: On a scale of 1-10, 10 being highest, what did you score?
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