- Superior performance trumps everything
Performance warrants top billing. If management sees you as a high-performer they will typically reward you. Bonuses aren’t guaranteed, but if your company does handout yearly bonuses your odds are greatly improved. Effective workload management combined with a focus on perception, being cautious and proactive with the political landscape improves your odds even further. Below are some tips to help you become a top performer:
Continuously strategize
To complete your job responsibilities more efficiently—be resourceful and creative (think outside of the box for better solutions).
Prioritize your workload
Focus on the most important tasks/projects first.
Maintain structure
Be organized and follow a to-do list.
Work with urgency
To complete your tasks and goals on schedule or better yet ahead of schedule.
Be goal-oriented
Every company sets goals and does whatever is necessary to achieve those goals. It’s important that you establish goals based on your job function, which are closely aligned with company goals—manage them to fruition.
A word of caution: Don’t over promise and under deliver. Be careful not to mouth off and promise the world and not deliver. The value of action speaks volumes over measly words applies here big time.
2. Showcase initiative
Employers are looking for individuals who can bring fresh ideas to the table and take initiative to start new projects without being directed to do so, pitch new solutions and create new opportunities for the business. It’s going above and beyond your normal job responsibilities. It’s also volunteering to help out in other areas. Work hard, work smart, volunteer for new projects, come up with new more efficient processes, go out of your way to help others.
Come to work early, apply yourself and don’t watch the clock to leave exactly at quitting time. If you really want to excel in your career don’t be labeled a 9-5 person. Also, don’t make personal calls at work, text aimlessly or utilize your social media apps.
3. Play the political game to survive and thrive
I hate the politics in D.C. and I hated playing the political game at work even more. With D.C. politics I could pretty much ignore it, but if you don’t play the game at work you will not excel in your career, in many instances, could lose your job. Politics run ramped in every company (small, medium and large). Below are a few tips on how to play the dreaded game:
Acquaint yourself with the organization chart
It’s important to know who the key influencers and power players are. Who are the brains in the organization? Who are the most respected? Who are the real decision-makers? Also, who to be leery of…
Assess relationships
Be observant to see who the movers and shakers are interacting with—perhaps in a formal group or informal setting. Are there any social networks you need to get involved with? Ascertain if relationships are based on respect, friendship, romance or something else. If at all possible, determine how influence emanates among the different groups. Be cognizant of friction or interpersonal conflicts.
Develop your EQ skills
It’s crucial to communicate effectively with your colleagues and executives also, to manage your emotions.
Be professional at all times
There’s a time and place for fooling around, and it’s not the workplace. Acting stupid (i.e., yelling at someone, throwing a tantrum or bad-mouthing someone) doesn’t do anyone any good, especially you. You don’t want to be labeled as a hothead. Also, don’t complain about your workload, no one cares. No matter how good a worker you may be, getting caught in the web of gossip will quickly downgrade your standing with your boss and employer.
Begin building your brand/profile
In other words, are you someone who gets the job done? Are you trustworthy? It’s important to showcase your honesty, integrity and accountability.
Don’t toot your own horn
Let your accomplishments speak for themselves.
Begin building your network
Start making connections outside of your own team (i.e., co-workers, managers and executives). Be friendly towards everyone, however only align yourself with the key players and organizations.
Be positive and friendly
There are going to be plenty of individuals that practice negative politics. Don’t shy away from them but don’t go down to their level either. The old adage “keep your friends close and your enemies closer applies here. Be guarded but courteous and respectful. Get to know them and their goals. Just be careful what you say around them as they may take your words and pass them along with a negative spin. Although many of these individuals are insecure and are self-destructive, they are clever and dangerous.
Choose your words carefully
You don’t want to reveal secrets that will be misconstrued. If you want to voice some concerns be confident but never be aggressive. Also, never bad mouth anyone.
To survive and thrive in the business world you need to be shrewd, observant, and have the gift of gab, just like politicians. Having to embrace the political landscape of any company seems like such a complete waste of time, but to be successful you either play the game and do it well or simply move aside so you won’t get trampled by those who are in the game to win. It’s that simple!
4. The right perception speaks volumes
If you typically work 40-50-hour weeks make it appear to upper management that you’re working 60-70-hour weeks when in reality you’re not. In small, medium or large businesses portraying the right perception is a key success factor to excel in your career. Don’t think of it as being deceitful. Consider it more like battlefield tactics to out-maneuver or outsmart the enemy. The following are some tactics:
Let’s say it’s Wednesday and your project is due the following Monday. You should do as much as possible during the workweek and even if you finish the project on Friday afternoon you shouldn’t email the deliverable just yet—wait until the weekend. Every manager looks at the time stamp on emails that come in during off-hours. Work-related emails you send during these off-hours will draw management’s attention.
It’s also a good idea for you to work a few extra hours to catch up in a quiet environment. Early Saturday morning, perhaps before your family or significant other wakes up is ideal. You should send an email to management and his team throughout the weekend—if applicable.
The same advice goes for status emails. You should complete them and place each one in your Draft email folder—then click send in the evening. It appears that you’re working around the clock, but in reality, you’re not. If you use Outlook you can also schedule the email to be sent automatically.
When interacting with management about a certain project that has been assigned to you with unrealistic demands: As much as you may want to, you should never say no—you should tell management that you will work on it over the weekend and send the deliverable before Monday. You should remind management (subtly) that your current responsibilities will fill up the work-week and you don’t want to drop the ball on anything. You shouldn’t make it look like you’re complaining. It’s just a gentle reminder that your plate is full and you will get to this very important project over the weekend when it’s easier to complete the work without interruption. You should work on the project and complete as much as possible during the week, as time permits, but not tell your boss and click send sometime over the weekend.
Management will typically recognize you as a company person. They will think that you’re working day and night and you’re doing whatever it takes to get the job done. Following this simple piece of advice will help your career immensely. Congratulations, you just won a strategic battle.
5. Be one step ahead of your boss
You should never wait for your boss to tell you what to do next. Always anticipate management’s needs. Put yourself in their shoes and ask questions like what would they do next to make improvements in the organization? How do we make things more efficient? Which processes or procedures do we need to implement, which will streamline our workflow? Be proactive (I.e., observe, listen and recommend solutions).
6. Earn the trust of management
Every executive has their own method of managing the organization (i.e., hands-on, hands-off, etc.). Do you fit into their management style? You don’t have to be best friends with your boss, but you should establish and nurture a solid relationship. Know the way they think and understand their expectations (likes, dislikes, status reporting, deliverables, etc.). The better you get to know your boss the more successful you will be. If you gain the trust of your boss you will be in good standing. You will probably get better projects, better raises, and more opportunities for promotions.
7. Know your employer
Learn your company’s products, services, mission, vision, strategies, goals. The more you know about your company mission, vision and goals the better you can align your work-related goals. Knowing your employer will help you better understand your role and the value you provide to their success.
8. Ask your boss for constructive criticism
In a future one-on-one meeting ask them to be brutally honest and ask what they think of your strengths and weaknesses. Don’t wait for your annual performance review. In most instances’ management will be happy to provide this feedback.
9. Don’t go to management with problems—come with solutions
Good employees go to management with solutions not problems. Be a problem-solver not someone who just points out problems. If you don’t have the authority to provide the final verdict on a problem, then make sure you offer a few solid options to management and try to help as much as you can.
10. Increase your knowledge base
You should never stop learning new skills. If you do the same thing over and over without learning new skills you will get bored. Whenever your employer offers training courses or other forms of education, jump on the opportunity.
11. Be a team player
At least make it appear that way—especially to management. Below are a few pointers on how to be a good team player:
Be an active participant
When interacting with individuals and organizations, be an active participant on projects and be sure to say the we word repeatedly. Never use I. Volunteer for assignments outside of your department and come prepared to team meetings and listen and speak up.
Be receptive to other people’s ideas
Listen and be open-minded to other people’s ideas. Solicit feedback on your ideas.
Be reliable
Always meet your deadlines to earn the trust of your co-workers. Keep your word and deliver quality work. You’re counted on to consistently deliver.
Adapt easily, quickly, and be flexible
To changing situations. Also, never display stress or complain. Take things in stride as things will not always go according to plan.
Be a problem solver
Great team players are problem solvers. They collaborate with others to find solutions. Sharing information and knowledge is a key component to being a great team player.
Communicates effectively
Communicates confidentially and frequently with other team members in a respectful manner is common practice. They’re not afraid to speak up but do it in a positive, confident, and respectful manner.
Promote team goals
The focus is on team goals versus individual goals.
Be humble
Point out the contributions of others and don’t seek attention for your accomplishments.
12. The first thirty days
As a new employee, you’re on management’s radar. The first thirty days in a new job are crucial for overcoming any skepticism that’s institutionalized in most companies for all new hires. This is why it’s important to minimize any uncertainty as quickly as possible and have a positive impact on the organization immediately. Be resourceful and do whatever it takes to learn your job quickly and get it done in a quality manner. Most companies are not going to give you a long time to learn your job and you probably won’t have someone shadowing you for a few weeks. If you’re lucky you may get a few days of classroom training, a few manuals to review with very little on-the-job training time.
Establish the appropriate perception immediately—like the first day, by staying past the time you’re supposed to get off and always get in early, preferably prior to management arriving on day two. Come in as early as possible even if you don’t get paid for it. You will be rewarded later. You need to show management that you’re a company person from the get-go. Below are some tips to ensure a great first impression:
Join co-workers for lunch or coffee
Even if you don’t have the time—you should do it. You need to get acclimated to the team as quickly as possible.
Ask questions
You need to ask your co-workers for advice on the dos and don’ts for your first 30 days. Also, about dress code, how meetings are conducted and who are the key players.
Take plenty of notes
More importantly, make sure people are seeing you take notes, but don’t take notes on your phone during this period.
Be extra diligent not to make a mistake but, if you do, you need to admit it immediately
Let management know and also tell them what you will do differently next time.
Don’t make waves
It’s better to keep quiet during the first few weeks—listen and learn.
Adapt to the corporate culture and adhere to departmental values
Fit in quickly. Ask questions and observe.
Make it a point to meet with management regularly
Especially in the first week, but you need to come prepared with an agenda. Discuss training progress, your 30-day plan, status reporting and management’s expectations.
Change email settings to engage spell-check and a one-minute send delay
Email is a great productivity tool, but it could also be your worst nightmare. If you’re not sure how to articulate an important message—you need to draft something, save it and check it the next morning when you’re not brain tired, before sending.
Don’t step on anyone’s toes
You may find things in the department that could be performed more efficiently, if that’s the case, you need to approach management and start each sentence in this manner:
“This procedure works well, but I was wondering if you’ve already tried to do…”
“I am sure this has been tried before, but I was thinking, what if. . .”
“You guys have been doing this a lot longer than me, but here is a thought. . .”
13. Nurture relationships
The more people you know the better especially with key decision-makers or folks who are influential. If you don’t proactively manage professional relationships, your success in business will be limited. Typically, nurturing key business relationships is taken for granted and put on the back burner which is a huge mistake. Promotions and bonuses are not only based on performance but, sadly, on who you know. You need to pick and choose relationships with key executives who can contribute to enhancing your career. You need to schmooze those key stakeholders. Those executives can help catapult your career.
I’ve known many individuals who struggled in their management career because they failed to schmooze with the appropriate people. As many stated, “I’m not about to kiss anyone’s butt.” I replied: “Schmoozing was not about kissing someone’s butt. In fact, the definition of schmooze is to: converse informally, to chat, or to chat in a friendly and persuasive manner especially so as to gain favor, business or connections.”
That’s a lot to digest but making the most out of your career is crucial. Utilize these career-related tips and you can put yourself on the path to greatness and achieve your ultimate career goals. If you feel like you’re in a dead-end job, but there are opportunities all around you in the same company the thirteen tips above will help you change your current situation.
More than half of my clients are looking for a second or third source of income, but they can’t put their current job on hold to pursue other interests. Very few have the luxury of quitting their job outright to perhaps start their own business. Unfortunately, there are no magic potions. It will take hard work (working nights and weekends), resourcefulness, creativity and most of all the discipline to ensure accountability, urgency and tenacity to achieve success. You will also need a product or a service that is unique, valued and cost-effective. So, don’t quit your day job just yet, at least until your side business is fully established and profitable.
