Becoming a Workplace Asset
October 5, 2009 | Category: Career
Amid company cutbacks and increased competition in the job market, many people fear that they will soon join others who are unemployed.
In life, there are no guarantees. But, there are clear, easy steps you can take to become a workplace asset. Here are a few simple ways you can transcend from average to outstanding:
- Never stop learning. Build your skills through educational courses (e.g. learning new computer skills, such as Java or web design) to update what you know. Inquire about training seminars. Remember: you are the captain of your own ship. Be proactive in signing up for classes or in asking questions about training options available through your work.
- Listen to your boss and coworkers. Not only will you understand their point of view more clearly, but people will also appreciate your listening skills and you’ll prevent future mis-communications.
- Know how to give and receive feedback. Accept the fact that constructive criticism is part of any working relationship. Knowing how to express your feelings while accepting feedback graciously will make you a better employee.
- Practice what the book Resilience at Work describes as a “hardy attitude.” A hearty attitude is a can-do mindset. A person with a hardy attitude avoids unproductive or harmful behaviors such as detaching themselves from their coworkers and the workplace, being disloyal, or slacking. A person with a hardy attitude is better able to weather tough times in the office because you’re able to connect with your work and coworkers more easily.
- Adhere to the Golden Rule: treat everyone you work with the way you would like to be treated.
- Appreciate your coworkers, including superiors, for the work that they do. Everyone enjoys people who are gracious and it develops goodwill amongst co-workers.
- Be solution-oriented, or Can-Do. When there is a problem, think of ways to solve it. Ask yourself: What good can come out of this problem? What can I learn from this? What are some solutions I can present? (The Sykes Group).
Remember Aristotle’s words - “excellence is a habit”.
