Here we go again! Welcome to the time of year where many of us make promises, commitments, pledges, (whatever you want to call it) to personal goals, and or the reforming of habits, all in an effort to improve, grow, advance or be better! Sadly by the beginning of April many of these resolutions will become victims of “It’s on the list but I haven’t gotten around to it as yet”, “I’ve been so busy”, and “add your excuse(s) here”. Before you know it all of the goals, promises, pledges, commitments that we were so hyped about at January 1st, become nothing more than a faded memory. Ladies and gentlemen, if we learnt anything from the highly stressed, seemingly unfriendly business environment of 2010 it should be that a shift is on. The business environment as we know it is being “reset”. Rapid change seems to be happening overnight. Attendance-based compensation, (the practice of paying people just for showing up) is a thing of the past. Further if you are categorized as a PERL (Percentage of Easily Replaced Labourers), you become an instant commodity – disposable, subject to pay cuts, or worst, termination.
Sadly for many, employers can no longer afford to be loyal to commodities. As the business environment resets, employers are desperately seeking unique, forward thinking, competent individuals who possess passion and energy, are flexible in the face of change, and who come to work everyday prepared to make a difference.
With this in mind, it becomes instantly clear that 2011 is not the year to allow your career resolutions, goals, plans etc. to die in the first quarter or the second half of the game – Call a five minute timeout if you must, but it’s imperative that you get back in the game before the shot clock runs out!
The good news is that you don’t need a long list of Career Resolutions to stay in the game in 2011. You heard me! You don’t need a long list of resolutions to take your career to the next level in 2011. Your career success can be achieved with one resolution - Resolve To Make Yourself Indispensable! In doing so your employer will be forced to treat you better, compensate you fairly, and if this period of economic decline continues to negatively impact your organization you will be one of the last persons to be shown the door!
Can You Become Indispensable? Absolutely, I believe that you can – if you want to and here’s how:
- Understand Your Company’s Goals – Within the next two weeks schedule a meeting with your boss and ask these two question: “What are your goals for the next 6 months/ New Year? What can I do to help you and our team reach these goals and succeed this year?” This sends a clear message to your boss that you have entered the New Year with a new attitude and that you are ready to bring value and make a difference. It also forces your boss to see you in a different/positive light and look for ways to best utilize your talents and skills. This in turn can open doors to new assignments and cross training.
- Eliminate “That’s Not My Job” from your vocabulary – Nothing can kill an organization or shoot down a rising star faster than when you let your mouth run away from your brain, and you say something silly like “That’s Not My Job.” Talk about instant turn-off! Become branded as the go-to-person and immediately increase you value to your employer. Don’t be reluctant to take on projects that are outside of your defined role/job description. Better yet be proactive, volunteer for assignments and ask to join teams. After all the go-to-person is well versed in company policies and procedures. They have access to information and organizational knowledge and use that information/knowledge to help improve decision-making and efficiencies within the organization. They connect people and they truly understand how to create the WOW Factor Customer Service for internal and external clients.
- Pursue self-development even if you have to pay for it yourself- 2011 is not the year to sit back and wait for your Human Resources Manager to “send you to training.” (It may never happen!) When you schedule that meeting with your boss in the next two weeks you should leave with a better understanding of where your organization is heading (remember a shift is on so expect changes), the role you are expected to play and the skills required to do the job. Always be mindful of the fact that the world is moving faster, which means that you can leave work today come back tomorrow and discover that overnight you’ve become obsolete! Staying on the cutting edge and current in your field strengthens your personal brand, improves the competitive edge of your organization and keeps you employed.
- Don’t underestimate the importance of soft skills - Soft skills also known as people skills are personal attributes that enhance a person’s job performance. Core competencies/hard skills may get you in the door, but more often than not it’s the soft skills that gets you hired and gives you the competitive edge. Examples of soft skills worth mastering include: Communication skills (listening, verbal, written), leadership/management skills, being a team player, being goal oriented, flexibility/adaptability/multi-tasking, time management and social graces (etiquette).
New Year, New Beginning, New Attitude. Best Wishes For Your Success!
