By Sam Ast, Re-Entry Workforce Development Specialist, Goodwill of Western Missouri & Eastern Kansas
The desire to improve and enhance your performance at work is not only an admirable professional pursuit but also a great personal mindset to have. Strengthening your ability to conduct daily employment activities has the potential to offer you countless professional benefits. This blog explains these concepts, delves deeper into what areas might warrant more of your focus and expands on how you can apply these reforms or tailor them to fit your unique goals in the workplace.
Most people go through the motions in life and at work. You go to work, carry out your function and go back home (or shut off your computer if you work from home). However, what if you want to stand out and go above and beyond what is expected? Perhaps you are angling for a pay raise, promotion or recognition from your supervisors. Maybe you simply wish to further your organization’s goals, improve company outcomes or raise the reputational profile of your team and their work. If this is true, altering your regular routine and implementing some positive changes could help these efforts.
Building Relationships
One major component of an employee on the rise is the ability to build relationships and foster trust among coworkers, superiors and others in the industry. Doing so gives you the space to demonstrate your competency and allows management to delegate you more complex responsibilities, knowing that you will get things done. Trust doesn’t always come easily. It must be developed through proven outcomes. For instance, when you’re assigned a task, employers want to see that it is consistently completed on schedule and of high quality. Do this enough, and others will take notice and know they can depend on you.
Communication
Another way in which you can excel in the workplace is through effective communication. If you can discuss your work product, raise issues, ask for help or address other topics that arise, you are well-positioned to not only be heard but to be seen and respected, as well. Some people will sink into “business as usual” and get lost in the shuffle to blend in and ultimately disappear into the background. This is not the way to improve, rise through the ranks or be noticed. To do that, you need to speak out and express yourself.
Don’t be mistaken; this requires hard work. You need to be able to organize your thoughts, identify the right individuals to speak with and deliver messages in the appropriate way. These skills take time to hone, but the benefits cannot be overstated. Beyond helping operations run smoothly, communicating well remains a good way to facilitate productive meetings, solve problems and demonstrate your intention to advance not only your interests but also those of where you work.
Your Specialization
Next, even the best communicators and networkers will not be able to realize continued success unless they can prove their value. There are a few ways to do this. Do your best to create a specialized reputation. Maybe you’re the “computer person,” “the writer” or “the explainer.” Organizations thrive by supporting distinctive personalities. For instance, an employee who is great at communicating with others might be a good training resource for new workers. By establishing a niche, you are also less likely to have too much placed on your plate that doesn’t fit with your skillset. Instead of being told to do this, that and the other, your responsibilities at work would likely be more tailored, making your unique role indispensable.
Additionally, take opportunities to share your accomplishments. There is a difference between bragging and highlighting solid achievements. Not everyone in a work environment necessarily notices the achievements of others, nor is there always a forum to share these stories. However, those around you should know about what you bring to the table, why your work is important and how it fits into the larger picture.
Self-Care
Finally, self-care will always be a good way to stay healthy and productive at work and in your personal life. Be sure to do your best at implementing various positive routines that can contribute to your endurance so that you do not run the risk of burnout.
Remember, you are not alone in this journey. If you need assistance with career readiness, developing marketable job skills or overall counseling regarding any of your employment needs or questions — we are here for you! Please stop by a Goodwill® career center to learn more about how Goodwill can help you.
