How to Become the MVP in Your Office
With the Super Bowl XLVII coming up, all the talk is about star performances.
One thing we know from watching the NFL playoffs is that team MVPs always train harder, work harder and play harder. They are more mentally and physically prepared and continuously bring their “A” game.
Star players don’t just wish for success, they are willing to work for it. And we can all take a page from their playbooks to become our office superstars.
Here’s a look at what we can all do in the office to enhance our performance and become a team leader:
Embrace Adversity. True stars don’t shy away from adversity--they embrace it. In the business world, this means identifying and fixing problems before they even become an issue. It’s about having the courage to look in the mirror and face the harsh realities of your own mistakes and possibly those of your team and boss. In other words, don’t just be a problem solver, be a problem finder. Once you identify a problem, be sure you come up with potential solutions before taking it to your boss. Don’t worry about blame. A problem is a problem, regardless of fault. Winning teams don’t harp on losses, they rally to win.
How to Take Action: Seek out a critical problem nobody is willing to tackle and own it in 2014.
Push Your Boundaries. If you want success, you need to be willing to push yourself. Star athletes are always looking to improve themselves. This means being proactive and stretching yourself beyond your comfort level. It’s common for bosses to overlook workers’ talents, so it’s up to you to highlight your skills and potential.
How to Take Action: Volunteer for a stretch assignment every quarter in 2014. Look for projects your boss needs to unload and step up to the plate.
Hold a Press Conference. A lot of people are really uncomfortable with the idea of self-promotion, but here's the reality: You can be the greatest employee in the world, but if nobody knows, it doesn’t matter. Star players always find a way to get their coaches to notice them, which ultimately leads to more playing time. I’m not talking about being outright shameless and banging pots and pans to tout your latest achievements, but you do have to step out a little and let management know what you’ve done.
How to Take Action: Schedule a regular lunch with your boss to review your successes.
Be a Role Model. Always do what you say you are going to do. There is nothing that hurts trust more than when someone doesn’t complete their commitments. If you can’t back up your talk with action, then don’t talk. Building trust is critical to any relationship and trust starts with consistency. Do what you say you are going to do and your boss will know he/she can rely on you.
How to Take Action: Write down every commitment you make and schedule a follow up to make sure you complete your workloads.
True stars always step up their play when the game is on the line, and in the current economic climate, every company and every job is potentially on the line. Treat every day as a playoff game, and those who have found a way to not only survive, but thrive, have relied on making star plays!