Yesterday I spent some time with a few different customers. One of my new customers asked me why is it that I seem to outshine the other sales people they have run into recently
My first response is that I consider my work, my career and others consider it a "job."
The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to share what is truly the reason for my 32 years of success.
While dress code in my office is business casual, every once in a while I like to wear a tie. You know…look good, feel good…dress for the job you want, not the job you have…all that good stuff.
Actually, there are times I just like to dress up for no special reason. But whenever I do, invariably I get someone who asks “Why are you all dressed up? Got a job interview today?”
My response is always the same: “I interview for my job every day!”
Although I say that somewhat jokingly, there is an element of truth I’m trying to reinforce with my team—every day you show up to work is an interview for your job. In today’s economy you have to continually demonstrate to your employer how you’re adding value to the organization.
I’m not talking about approaching your job from a state of fear, constantly afraid of being let go if you don’t make that sale. I’m talking about having an understanding and appreciation for how you have to “bring it” each day you walk through your company’s front door.
Here are five key principles that will help you increase your value and contribution to your organization as they have helped me.
1. Accept the new reality – We live in a new reality of a dynamic, constantly shifting, and evolving global economy. It requires businesses to be agile and shift their strategies to take advantage of new opportunities, create new markets, or ward off upstart competitors. You have to come to grips with the need to constantly stay relevant in your job or profession. Complacency and stagnation makes you vulnerable and less valuable to your organization. If you aren’t adding value, you’re probably expendable.
2. Take charge of your own career development – As employees, all of us should expect our employer to help develop us in our role, but career development should be seen as a privilege, not a right. Organizations have an obligation to provide the right training, tools, and resources to enable employees to maximize their potential in the job they were hired to do. But career development (promotions, moving into new roles, etc.) is a privilege and is not the employer’s responsibility. Is it a smart thing for employers to facilitate career development in order to attract and retain key talent? Absolutely! But it’s up to you to keep learning, to further your education, improve proficiency in your job, and develop new skills in alignment with the direction of your organization’s goals and strategies. No one else except you is responsible for your career development.
3. Have an ownership mentality – How would the value of your contribution be different if you acted like you own the place? Would you be more emotionally invested and passionate about the work you do? Would you produce higher quality products? Would you be a little more prudent or cautious with company expenses? Would you care a little more about the customer experience? People who approach their jobs with an ownership mentality care about these sorts of things. They view themselves as stewards of the company’s resources and work hard to promote the success of the entire organization, not just their particular role, team, or department.
4. Build your brand – Whether you realize it or not, you have a brand image at work. Your brand image is not only how people perceive you (your reputation), but also what differentiates you from everyone else in your company. Forget your job title. What is it about your performance that makes you memorable, distinct, or unique? What’s the “buzz” on you? Forget about your job description too. What accomplishments are you most proud of? How have you gone above, beyond, or outside the scope of your job description to add value to your organization? Those are the elements that make up your brand.
Thinking of yourself in these ways might be new to you. It takes a shift in perspective to view yourself as not just an employee doing a job, but as an independent contractor running your own business. If you make that shift, you’ll realize you have to constantly develop your skill-set (i.e., the services you have to offer), build an attractive brand image, and consistently demonstrate to your client (i.e., employer) how you’re adding value.
Remember, you are in the business of YOU! Best Wishes... "Uncle" Bill OGorman
