At the workplace, certain skills can determine one?s ability to perform effectively. And engaging within the framework of these ten demandments could be instrumental for your career advancement.
Network
Networking helps achieve deliverables three times faster and also gives your career a fillip by pointing you to seemingly non-existent opportunities. It has been found that 80% of the best jobs and 70% of new businesses materialise through networking. Burg and Mann capture the essence of relationships in Go-Givers Sell More: ?In the economics of human interactions, spending doesn?t deplete, it multiplies! The more knowledge you give, the more you have.? Contribute to the success of others and the principle of reciprocity will bring you equivalent dividends.
Make more time
?He who gains time gains everything,? was the astute observation of the former British PM Benjamin Disraeli. Make more time by resisting tasks like phone calls, email alerts and instant messages; these prompt immediate action but may not be relevant from your goals perspective. Bring in efficiencies by planning your day, for ?One minute spent in proper planning saves ten minutes in execution,? as Blake Beattie prudently suggested in his book Bullseye.
Set your goals
?There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all,? claimed Peter Drucker. Without clearly defined goals one could end up running endlessly on the treadmill of life. Identify your destination before taking the road, and craft goals that are specific, measurable, time-bound and challenging yet achievable.
Shape your role
Take charge of your career. Go beyond your job description by opting for assignments side-stepped by others because of their complexity, risk and lack of glamour, thus earning the reputation of a problem-solver. Remember that additional responsibility at the cost of your core can be counterproductive. Tune into the environment, scanning it constantly for career enhancing opportunities.
Strive for excellence
Oprah Winfrey once claimed that she subscribed to the fundamental principle of trying to excel in whatever she did, as she had learnt early in life that people notice excellence. Do your very best, no matter if your job is just flipping fries at McDonald?s. Pull out all the stops to turn in a perfectly accurate deliverable before time, and observe the impact on people.
Manage conflicts
Conflicts are inevitable for two reasons?limited resources and differences in people?s perspectives, goals and temperament. Address them constructively instead of pushing them under the carpet. The best strategy for conflict resolution lies in understanding the underlying interests of the involved parties, and engaging with flexibility rather than taking strong positions. Think win-win, as a one-sided solution is unsustainable in the long run.
Handle emotions
Conflicts, layoffs, denial of rewards or promotion, common at the workplace, elicit emotions such as frustration, nervousness, unhappiness and anxiety, leading to stress. Since stress is concomitant with workplace dynamics, the trick lies in not wishing it away but in managing it effectively. Cope with these emotions by taking encouragement from Thomas Edison, who after perfecting the light bulb in 10,000 attempts had said, ?I have not failed. I have just found 9,999 ways that do not work.? Or learn from Neuharth, the renowned media personality, who claimed, ?I quit being afraid when my first venture failed and the sky didn?t fall down.?
Be assertive
Assertiveness stems from a confidence that manifests itself in the ability to speak up, listen attentively, seek clarification, express one?s feelings, stand up for one?s rights and being able to say ?no? politely, explaining the reason with equanimity. The ability to initiate a conversation with a stranger or pay someone a compliment is also a sign of assertiveness, and goes a long way in engaging constructively with people.
Sharpen your saw
Ensure your success and longevity by building your intellectual capital through constant learning. Render yourself the go-to person by keeping yourself updated with the latest developments. Enhance your relevance by sharpening your skills and making yourself invaluable for the organisation.
Package yourself
Just as we consider labels and wrappers in estimating a product?s worth, people experience us first by their sense of sight, before diving deep to discover our inherent worth. Packaging, a key driver in managing a person?s brand, is more than just dressing for success. It encompasses the way you communicate, keep your workstation, and present yourself in general. Brilliant content may be rendered worthless if its unattractive packaging dissuades people from accessing it.
The author is director of Delta Learning, a human resources consulting & training company