Get noticed for the right reasons. Employees who get involved are recognized for their commitment and team-player mentality. Don’t wait for assignments to be delegated to you, sign up for them. In fact, create new strategies and ideas and present them to your supervisor or boss. Don’t be afraid to share ideas with co-workers. Invite them to brainstorm on an idea you have been pondering. Stay that extra half hour to finish up the proposal your group needs by next week.
I am not telling you to be a slave. I am saying be efficient, consistent and energized when you are in the workplace. When you are the ables (reliable and capable) you become a necessity to the company. The worst thing to do is to maintain your position in a manner that results in your superior not caring who is sitting in your seat. Make them want you, and only you, in that role. Then you will have leverage when you ask for that raise, rally for that promotion or argue your case for that new espresso machine in the cafeteria. By the time you are ready to move on to the next phase of your career - whether you are leaving or ascending within the organization - you will have established a track record.
Let The Players In The Game Get To Know You.
Many people will tell you the opposite. Try to get past his secretary, approach him at a meet and greet. Don’t believe them. I don’t care how much you want to get five minutes with Mr. Wilson, the president of Hold It Paper Clips. The quickest and easiest way to get a sit-down with Mr. Wilson is to be great at what you do. A funny thing will happen. Mr. Wilson will come looking for you.
I hate to think about it as much as you, but people are talking behind your back. Trust me, some are saying not so nice things, and some are saying some wonderful things. No matter what any of them say, the proof is in the pudding. No amount of idle gossip can take away your accomplishments and the opportunities you have created for yourself and others. So spend your time doing positive work and getting solid results. Before you know it, people will be trying to get past your secretary.
Let Them See It All Over Your Face.
Remember that song, (I’m singing at the top of my lungs here), “It’s written all over your face. You don’t have to say a word.” Well, guess what? It’s true. When you are feeling annoyed, angry and mentally exhausted at work, people can see it and they want no parts of it. In Jeremy Myers’ article titled, “The art of the poker face,” he teaches players that “the ability to keep a positive attitude, and not let losses and setbacks drag you down, is an essential part of being a successful poker player. If you do happen to take a beating - which, inevitably, you will - do your best to brush it off. Dwelling on it will only take much-needed focus away from the next hand.”
The key to staying positive is recognizing a situation for what it is and then pushing through it until the moment has passed. When I am having a bad day, I say out loud, “Today is a bad day. Tomorrow will be a wonderful day.” And you know what, tomorrow usually is. Sulking in negativity, moping about the workplace and answering colleagues in a sinister tone is contagious. You offshoot that vibration to another, they in turn get annoyed and exhibit a reflection of your misery and so the virus spreads … We all know people who work in hostile work environments. They often bring that baggage home at the end of the day, and the cycle continues.
When I used to begin to feel overwhelmed on lay out day at the newspaper and deadlines were looming over my head, I used to say to my co-workers Courtney Llewellyn and Katelyn Gendron, “The work will get done because it has to.” It would act as a moment for me to shovel off any feeling of burden, recycle it into something positive, and allow me to do what needed to be done one step at a time. On stressful days, take a moment to harness your chi and bring yourself back to that positive space. Let that piece of peace ooze out into the work environment. You’ll be known as being able to work well under pressure.
Step Up The Corporate Ladder, Not The Backs Of Others.
No one will ever convince me that you have to be ruthless to others to get ahead. The only thing you should be ruthless about is your work ethic. Don’t connive, manipulate or mislead. Having character and integrity doesn’t make you weak. It makes you level-headed. Always be tactful, honest and sure of what you say and do before you do it. Workplace speech and behavior is like childbirth, once it’s out, there is absolutely no going back.
Earn the respect and trust of your colleagues. When you are helpful and supportive, they will be the same in return. Don’t fall victim to cynicism. Not everyone is out to get you. I’m not advising you to play dumb. I am encouraging you to play smart. Know which battles to fight and which wars to wage. When it comes to office politics, those who have attracted more bees with honey, tend to have more soldiers on the front lines for them.
Wow, that's great. Thanks for sharing about “Suit up and get in the game.” It’s not often that you find such clearness of depiction and range of ideas. Well written.
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