Chapter 1 Surpass the competition

CHAPTER 1

SURPASS THE COMPETITION

In this book, you will find the 101 most important things you need to know not only to keep your job but also to get promotions and raises. Your challenge is to use the 101 strategies to build a solid professional reputation that will move your career in a positive direction. Make a commitment to take advantage of opportunities for self-improvement that will establish you as an indispensable employee. 

Your level of commitment will have a direct result on your level of success. Adhering to these 101 strategies will make you a more promotable employee. 

Throughout this book you will find checklists and questions to use in evaluating the skills and attitudes you need to improve and incorporate in your success plan. By focusing and following through, you can gain the competencies needed to ensure your maximum efficiency.

1: Gain a Competitive Edge 

In today’s economy, you need a competitive edge to keep your job and garner a promotion. To gain that edge, you need to excel at your job by setting high personal standards and working hard to attain them. 

If you do not like the results you are getting from your job (i.e., no raise or promotion), consider your output. Do you stand out among company employees in a positive way? Do you perform your job better than your coworkers do theirs? You put forth the effort required to get the best results. Being equal will not gain you the recognition you need to get ahead. Do you need to make any changes in your behavior, work habits, and productivity to become an outstanding employee? 

Look beyond yourself. What does your current position actually have to offer? Is it a rung leading up the corporate ladder? Is it enough for you to fulfill your ambitions? 

Find ways to do your job better than your coworkers do theirs. 

2: Plan for Advancement

When you feel you have not advanced as quickly as you think you should, try to determine where your career is stalled and why. Ask yourself these questions and answer honestly:

• ·         Does my employer promote from within?

• ·         Is there a suitable position for me to advance to?

• ·         Do I have the education/ skills I need to advance?

• ·         Am I ready and prepared for a promotion/ advancement?

• ·         Do I continually look for ways to increase my value to the company?

• ·         Do I contribute significantly to the company?

• ·         Do I go above and beyond what is asked of me in my current position?

• ·         Do I do my job well?

• ·         Have my performance reviews been above average/ superior?

• ·         Are my work habits above average/ superior?

• ·         Do I meet my commitments on a consistent basis and in a timely manner?

• ·         Do I take an active interest in my company?

• ·         Do I keep up with industry trends?

• ·         How well do I get along with my supervisor?

• ·         How well do I get along with my coworkers?

• ·         How well do I get along with customers/ clients?

• ·         Is my behavior results-oriented?

• ·         Do I exhibit a professional demeanor at all times?

It is sometimes difficult to be personally objective when it comes to determining our worth to our employer. If after answering these questions, you feel you should have been promoted, it may be beneficial to get another opinion from someone who will be objective. One such person is your direct supervisor.

Arrange a time to sit down with your supervisor to discuss your performance and goals, and also the potential options for advancement that are available to you. Ask the supervisor what you have to accomplish to get a promotion, raise, or other distinction you are hoping to attain. Ask for specifics. Be open to a candid discussion and do not get defensive when suggestions or criticisms are offered. Remember, this is an opportunity to find out if you are performing up to your supervisor’s expectations. It is also a chance to discover how to get promoted within the company and what your chances are of being promoted.

Plan for your advancement within the company by making significant contributions. 

Demonstrate your willingness to learn what needs to be done, and make sure you do it accurately and effectively. Ask your supervisor for performance feedback. Such information is critical to gaining promotions. Periodically discuss your progress with the supervisor.

Other people who can evaluate your skills include coworkers and human resource personnel. The goal is to arrive at an honest understanding of your current knowledge and skills and ascertain what you still need to acquire to perform at optimum level. 

You need to take an honest look at your skills and abilities to determine whether they are adequate or if you need to improve them or learn new ones. Also consider your strengths and weaknesses; find ways to eliminate weaknesses or turn them into strengths. Focus on positive work performance. 

If you have been passed over for a promotion or raise, find out why. You may be thinking you lost out on a promotion or you deserve to advance, but do you really have a desire to get ahead? If you have not received a promotion and you want one, the question becomes “What are you willing to do different to attain a promotion?”

Brainstorm ideas with your boss or a trusted friend. Tailor a success plan to your specific needs to help you meet your professional goals. Then get started by concentrating on the outcome you desire. Is there something you can do right now to jump-start your career (i.e., take a class, increase your productivity, work on improving your performance reviews, etc.)? 

Become a promotable person— one who uses logic and critical thinking to reach innovative decisions and is creative, motivated, and prepared to lead others. Make a positive impression on your supervisor and coworkers. 

Go above and beyond what is required of you. 

As you read through the chapters in this book, you will discover ways in which to enhance your professional traits and make yourself valuable in your current position and likely to be promoted in the future. Keep your standards high. Your reputation is on the line.

3: Make It Happen 

One way to gain a competitive edge is to search for high-level tasks or a challenging project that will have a significant impact in the company. Keep in mind that it must be a project you can do with a high degree of success. After you find the right project, go to your supervisor and propose that you take it over or handle it. Be the first one to jump in and offer to do tasks that others do not want to do, but make sure you are 

qualified to do the tasks. A good way to learn new skills is to help someone who is more experienced so that you can learn how to do similar projects when the opportunity arises.

If possible, find something you can contribute that aligns with your strengths. In that way, you will have an advantage. Make sure that what you attempt to accomplish is something that clearly benefits your supervisor or the company so that it has the maximum impact. 

Seek out challenging projects and tasks that will have an impact on the company. 

Taking on challenging assignments is a good way to get your supervisor’s attention. Looking for ways to make a significant contribution conveys that you are hard working and career-minded.

4: Develop a Positive Attitude 

You have probably heard the expression “attitude is everything”; in the workplace, it takes on a special meaning. Your attitude can make or break your career; it affects how well you perform and has a direct influence on how people perceive you and how they react to you. 

A positive work attitude encompasses everything from displaying desirable character traits to getting along with others, accepting additional responsibility, and doing the best work possible. A positive attitude is not merely a happy-go-lucky, smiling persona. It is an accumulation of optimistic and constructive personal traits that are displayed in a willing, consistent manner. It shows from the inside out. 

So how does one go about creating the type of attitude that employers look for when hiring and promoting employees? Sometimes all it takes is a shift in thinking brought about by changing our internal dialog. Much of our negativity comes from pessimistic, unconstructive self-talk churning through our minds from morning to night. Reversing that self-talk by replacing it with upbeat, constructive language will bolster your self-esteem and ultimately your attitude. 

Make a conscious effort to listen to yourself when you speak and to eliminate negative words from your vocabulary by exchanging them for more positive ones. It is likened to looking at a glass as half full rather than half empty. 

Obstacles and disappointments are bound to occur throughout your career. When they do, make up your mind to seek solutions, to discover what you can do versus what you cannot do. A “cannot” attitude will invariably bring you down, whereas a “can do” attitude gives you hope. 

Being aware of the attitude you project is a constant process. Some days may be frustrating or even boring as you perform the same tasks over and over. When you notice yourself becoming disapproving and cranky or unmotivated and bored, think pleasant thoughts or find some other way to cheer yourself. For instance, take a break, talk things over with someone you trust, repeat positive phrases, create and use self-motivation strategies, or let go of things you cannot control. 

Evaluate the attitude you project and work on making it more positive. 

Maintaining a positive attitude takes dedicated practice because you are creating a positive habit where a negative one exists. Consider these tips to build a better attitude:

 

• ·         Assess your attitude— be honest with yourself.

• ·         Continuously remind yourself to seek a constructive outcome to every situation and to do it with a positive outlook.

• ·         Feed your mind with inspirational, motivational material.

• ·         Turn your work into a challenge.

• ·         Look for ways to motivate yourself.

• ·         Take time to enjoy life and the people you love.

• ·         Be grateful.

• ·         Be flexible.

• ·         Watch out for signs of depression, boredom, health problems, too little sleep, and stress, which all contribute to a decline in attitude.

• ·         Avoid negative people.

• ·         Keep yourself fit and healthy.

• ·         Seek out other positive, motivated people as mentors.

5: Take Responsibility 

Take personal responsibility for your actions, words, ethics, and character traits. You control your life. If you are not getting the results you want at work, readjust your thinking and actions and try something else. Admit that you always affect the outcomes in your life.

You will be held accountable for the following: 

• ·         Performance

• ·         Behavior

• ·         Words

• ·         Work relationships

• ·         Ideas

• ·         Ideals

• ·         Personal traits

• ·         Skills and abilities

• ·         Knowledge

• ·         Attitude

• ·         Errors and misjudgments

• ·         Limitations and shortcomings

• ·         Attendance and punctuality

• ·         Decisions

• ·         Failure to respond

• ·         Failure to report errors, improper actions, etc.

Take personal responsibility for all your actions and words.

How often do you consciously take personal responsibility for your thoughts, words, and deeds? Answer the following questions to assess your own accountability. 

Assess Your Accountability 

1. Would you be dishonest if it meant saving your job?

2. How do you handle yourself when you make a mistake?

3. How would you deal with a coworker who steals your idea and claims it as his own?

4. What would you do if your boss thought your coworker’s idea was your idea?

5. Do you clean up your messes in the employees’ lounge?

6. Do you follow proper procedures when operating company equipment?

7. What would you do if a coworker violates safety policies?

8. Do you follow company rules and policies?

9. Do you meet deadlines?

10. Are you fair and honest in your dealings with others?

11. If you are wrong, do you admit it?

12. If you have wronged others, do you make amends?

13. Are you reliable?

14. Do you do your fair share?

15. Do you make a positive contribution to your workplace every day?

16. Do you display ethical behavior at all times?

17. Do you control your emotions?

18. Are you sincere?

19. Do you accept responsibility for and stand behind your decisions?

20. Do you get the job done when you say you will?

21. Is your language unbiased, tactful, professional, and kind?

22. Do you refrain from stealing company supplies and using company equipment for personal use?

23. Do you spend your time at work on company business?

24. Do you avoid personal calls and Internet surfing on company time?

25. Are you an asset to the company?

26. Do you accept responsibility for your actions?

27. Do you update required certifications?

Hold yourself to the highest ethical standards. 

When you accept personal responsibility, you hold yourself accountable in all areas of your personal and professional life. You are honest with everyone all the time and behave in a professional manner. You admit mistakes, follow proper procedures and rules, and meet your commitments on deadline. 

Look over your answers to determine your level of accountability. If you do not currently hold yourself to high standards of integrity, work to improve. If you have been disregarding policies and procedures, miss deadlines, or are unfair or emotional, begin to follow the rules and manage your time and behavior. By holding yourself accountable, you will become a valued employee. 

In challenging economic times, those who refuse to accept personal and professional responsibility for their actions become liabilities to their companies. As liabilities, they set themselves up for layoffs and firings. 

6: Be Self-Reliant 

Employees who are self-reliant free up the boss so she can tend to other issues. After you are trained and you know what your duties are and how to complete them, do the work with minimal supervision. Refrain from running to the supervisor with every little question. Learn to think through problems and work on your own; trust your own judgment and skills. 

Plan your work, prioritize, set and meet deadlines, and follow-up when necessary. Approach your supervisor only after you have exhausted other means of arriving at solutions. Having the ability to work independently sets you up for promotions by demonstrating your self-reliance and confidence. 

Make sure, though, to keep your boss informed about the status of your tasks and projects— not every detail, but keep her in the loop with regard to important projects, decisions, and accomplishments.

Often the supervisory structure has mechanisms in place for providing updates and the status of projects. These can take the form of weekly status meetings, daily/ weekly emails, etc. It is crucial to provide a quick, professional response to these communications. Be sure your response conveys the proper message before hitting Send as you will not be able to take it back. 

The ability to work well independently inspires trust in you as an employee. Trusted employees are valued and often rewarded. 

Do your work with minimal supervision. 

7: Generate Ideas 

You can earn credibility and make a positive contribution to your company by generating viable ideas. Gain a reputation around the company of being an idea person— the one people come to when they need a better, faster, easier, or cheaper way of doing things. Resist the urge to sit back and play it safe by letting others supply the ideas. Speak up if you think your idea will save time and money or if it will make for more proficient performance. 

Take stock of your own duties. Is there a more efficient way to do a task? Can you revise routine forms? Is there a way to streamline procedures? Focus on improvement.

Before incorporating changes on your own, it is wise to double-check with higher-ups. There may be specific reasons why certain procedures must be followed. 

Listen to the suggestions made in brainstorming sessions to see if you can build on someone else’s idea. Share ideas and information with your team members. Cooperate with them and support them. Learning new things from coworkers will broaden your knowledge base. Get as much information as possible; the better you understand policies and procedures, the easier it is to strategize. 

Be creative and constructive so as to make a true contribution. When you come up with a new idea, give an example of how to implement it and why it should be considered. 

Be known as an “idea person.” 

If your idea is rejected, do not be discouraged. Find out why it was not feasible. Sometimes there may be a perception problem; sometimes there are underlying reasons why it will not work. 

Continue to contribute ideas for the future. When you continue to see possibilities where there are barriers, it expands your creative mind. 

To energize your creativity and continue generating ideas, increase your knowledge. Read, attend seminars and trade shows, become actively involved in brainstorming sessions, and continually challenge yourself. Focus on new and better ways of doing things. 

8: Follow the Rules 

Rules, regulations, guidelines, policies: these are put into place to establish a consistent structure that assures the smooth operation of the company and provides uniformity. Employees are responsible for knowing company policies and procedures, especially those spelled out in the employee handbook. They must willingly abide by these policies and ensure they meet the directives of the company. Why have rules at all if they are not properly enforced? 

When an employee or group of employees abuse or disregard company policies, it sends the wrong message to supervisors, coworkers, and customers. It causes chaos, negativity, loss of productivity, low morale, and worse.

 

Follow company guidelines and policies. 

Employees who follow proper protocol look at the so-called rule breakers and wonder why they continue to get away with infractions. They question the special treatment the rule breakers receive when their negative behavior continues without repercussions. This disgruntles the rule followers, who begin to think observing the rules has no merit. If a few can get away with disregarding policies, why can’t everyone? It causes an “If you can ignore the rules, so can I” attitude. Soon the entire office force is ignoring policies, causing upheaval and forcing the boss to take a stand. 

Company policies and regulations are put in place to keep things running efficiently across the entire company, from the production department to sales and marketing, etc. When employees routinely violate policies, it creates low morale and finger pointing. Even one employee who ignores the rules can create an unpleasant situation or problem. 

It is amazing how otherwise rational and responsible adults will act as if the company policies apply to everyone but them. When they break a rule, they are shocked to be reprimanded or put on notice for the infraction( s). For instance, a company may have a dress code that prohibits wearing jeans of any kind. Along comes Bob dressed in black jeans and a dress shirt. When confronted, Bob defends his wearing of black jeans, stating that they “look” like business wear. He may even go so far as to say he looks better in the jeans than some people do in their casual business slacks. Justifying his actions, Bob totally misses the point that he broke the dress code. All types of jeans are banned from the office— period. 

Company rules and policies are meant for everyone— no exceptions. If you hope to continue working for a company and want to advance there, strict adherence to company policies is a must.

Rules and procedures are in effect for a reason. If you feel they do not make sense or they have little value, direct your questions to the supervisor. Some procedures may be mandated by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) or state/ local laws to comply with safety issues. Some rules may be required to keep the company running efficiently and prevent a chaotic environment. 

Understanding your company’s rules and procedures could provide insight into its inner workings and structure. Knowing the whys of procedures can help you understand what you need to do to keep your job and to advance in your career.

Summary 

In today’s tough, competitive job market, edge out the competition by building a solid professional reputation as an expert and an achiever. To advance in your career and receive recognition, perfect your skills, learn new ones, and demonstrate your value to the company through outstanding contributions. 

Take on projects that have a significant impact and complete them successfully to make positive things happen in your career. Hold yourself accountable to completing duties proficiently and on time, to making viable decisions, to interacting appropriately with others, and to dealing with customers. Admit to missed deadlines and mistakes and accept responsibility for correcting the problems.