Workers who possess personal ambition are always seeking ways to improve their positioning with their boss. Here are ten time-tested techniques that will make your boss take notice of your personal performance. As you read through the list, think about your own performance. How many items on the list are part of your work style? How many do you fail to use? Important questions to answer as you seek upward mobility within your company.
After implementing these steps, if you don’t get a positive comment perhaps it is time to look elsewhere for work! Good luck.
1. Complete work assignments on time. When given a task, do it well and do it within the timeframe assigned. If your boss gives you an unreasonable timeline, discuss it. Repeatedly turning in work late is the first step to disciplinary action or termination.
2. If you don’t know, admit it. BS will get you nothing. When asked about some work activity, don’t try faking it till you make it. Taking the wrong action can be dangerous to your safety and fatal to your career. Admit your lack of information but make sure you learn the answer. Earn the reputation for honesty and knowing what you are talking about when you speak and what action to take when you act.
3. Provide solutions, not problems. Continually going to your boss with problems is not an endearing act. Think about solutions and offer them when you discuss problems with your boss. He or she will appreciate your contribution.
4. Don’t hide your mistakes. This is always a tough one but in the long run, if you mess up, fest up to it. Don’t point fingers or blame others. If you did it, own up to it.
5. Understand the expectations of your boss. Learn what is important to your boss regarding workplace performance. As you size up opportunities within the organization, strive to meet those expectations.
6. Learn from performance reviews. Use performance review periods as a learning experience, not excuse time. Listen carefully to the critique offered and resolve to improve on every point discussed. Offer goals that will enhance the work environment and hopefully improve the profit margin in the coming year. Complete them well and sit back to hear the good news during the next review period.
7. Look around at what can be improved. Most work environments have many small things that can be done to improve efficiency and effectiveness. If you have the skill to improve some work process, offer to do it. This is going beyond the call of duty and will get the attention of people above you.
8. Show up and be on time. Being responsible includes coming to work. Sick days are just that. They are not vacation time. If your work day starts at 8:00AM, be there a few minutes early and when 8:00AM comes, begin working, not socializing. You are being paid to work and that is what you should do.
9. Get along with your fellow workers. No one likes a contrary personality nor is a confrontational people appreciated. Teamwork and cooperation go a long way towards endearing yourself to your co-workers and your supervisors. You have a professional obligation to work well with others, even when you don’t like them personally.
10. Minimize socializing. It is certainly OK to engage in a bit of trivial conversation during the work day. But doing so too much is costly to your employer. Think about what you earn per hour and then add up the total of your “social time” each day. If you add up such time for the entire workforce, it becomes significant dollars. Be friendly but do your work.
Copyright 2007 Billy Arcement
Billy Arcement, MEd., turns knowledge into results. He is a former teacher, coach, school board member and senior corporate manager. Today, he uses his teaching, coaching and corporate experiences to create insightful consultation and training sessions.
His work with business leaders creates a culture of teamwork, productivity and profits. His message to school boards, administrators and teachers is simple and candid—always keep children first.
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Billy writes nationally published articles on leadership, education issues and success principles. His book, "Searching for Success," is now published in four foreign countries. His newest book, "The Journey--Powerful Strategies for Discovering Your Personal, Professional and Spiritual Destiny," is due out in October 2007. His ezines, News from the Swamp (leadership and success strategies) and Children First (parenting skills) reach a world-wide audience each month.
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