In today's increasingly competitive, ever-changing, ever-evolving marketplace it is increasingly important to differentiate yourself and build your own unique brand as a star player within your company and industry. The following, from the career experts at Bayt.com, are some basic guidelines to help you establish yourself as the employee everyone wants to have on their team.
The golden rule - 'treat others in the organisation as you yourself would like to be treated'. This includes respecting yourself and others at all times, being pleasant, cordial and cheerful even in times of stress and making the effort to understand other people's viewpoints even when they are sharply divergent from your own. People want to work with people they like and respect so make sure at all times you treat people well and in a manner that conveys you respect them and value their professional judgement, skills and contributions.
There is no substitute for being an expert in your field to get the full positive acknowledgement and recognition you need for a firm foothold on your career. Knowledge, skills, training rapidly become obsolete in today's ever-evolving marketplace and it is essential to stay ahead of the change curve by constantly reinventing yourself, updating your skills and maintaining your edge in the marketplace. Take personal control of your ongoing education and don't let any impediments stand in your path. If the company won't fund your self-education find alternative ways to avail yourself of the training you need. Attend courses, seminars, read the industry literature and make sure that your skills never become redundant or obsolete and that they continue to differentiate you positively and give you an extra edge over your competitors.
Problem solving is key in any job. Don't be the person who gets mired in difficulties and wallows in duress. Instead, become known as a cool-headed, creative thinker who can rise to a challenge, think on his/her feet, assess a difficult situation and make concise, impactful decisions that save the day and positively affect the team's overall performance. Make sure you go through the proper channels of command in making and implementing decisions and take the time you need to make optimal decisions rather than making hasty decisions you will regret later. People who can think outside the box and through research, hard work, creativity, experience and analytical acumen find versatile, cost-effective pertinent solutions to both common and uncommon problems are invaluable in any job.
In almost any job your work will necessitate working with others and you need to perfect the skill of being a teamplayer who can roll up his/her sleeves and contribute to the welfare of the organisation and the company's bottom line by working closely, fluidly and cohesively within a team. Essential team dynamics include taking responsibility for you actions; giving credit where credit is due; listening attentively and respectfully to others' viewpoints; contributing and being accountable for your own efforts and viewpoints; and being pleasant and professional to all team members at all times. Good team players are adaptable, collaborative, commited, dependable, disciplined, enthusiastic, solution oriented and tenacious. They are also knowledgeable, well-informed and always prepared when working on team projects.
Good communication includes talking as well as listening. You need to be able to communicate effectively with superiors, peers and subordinates. Learn to give feedback that is constructive, motivational and conducive to bolstering team spirit, productivity and morale. Be attentive and polite when others are giving you feedback and advice, acknowledge you understand what is being said, reiterate key points and articulate what you believe are next steps that need to be taken. Clear, respectful communication is key to professional success in the long run. Making an effort and taking the time to show others appreciation for their work and effort is a key component of sound communication; make sure your positive feedback is sincere, heartfelt and specific to a certain project, task or behaviour so that its full motivational force and benefit is felt.
The workplace is not the place to vent your frustrations or air your private troubles whatever they may be. At all times maintain a pleasant, professional demeanor and try to limit your discussions to matters that pertain directly to the workplace and the industry. If the team engages in light banter about the weekend football games, seasonal sales or upcoming weddings by all means don't be the party pooper who puts a damper on the discussions but do not be known as the employee who always starts or feeds the office gossip. Never engage in negative talk about management or colleagues and avoid backstabbing and rumor-mongering at all costs. People will trust you and value you more if they know you are not the type to undermine them or engage in negative banter behind their backs.
It may not do too much for your popularity in the short run if you are the person who works a8 -7 workday when everyone works9-5 but a strong work ethic coupled with a pleasant work style, team spirit and all the other attributes we mentioned before will win the day in the long run. Employees ultimately look up to those who are consistent and dependable in their hard work and positive results and see them as indispensable members of the team over the long haul. Nothing attracts success like success, so aim to shine and make the rest of your team shine with you to get the credit and credibility you need to succeed.
This may be easier said than done but nothing is more attractive and contagious than sincere outright enthusiasm. Sure, some days are better than others for everyone but employees who are doing what they love to do and are sincerely excited and enthusiastic abut their job, project or tasks will generally infuse the organisation with a certain vigor and energy and will almost always be a joy to have around providing they remain modest team players and don't outright boast or gloat about their job satisfaction and/or results.
