Be the Office MVP in 2015
As Super Bowl week gets under way you can expect to hear a lot of talk about star performances.
After watching the NFL playoffs it’s clear the MVPs that got these two teams where they are train harder, work harder, and play harder than all the rest. They prepare both mentally and physically and always bring their “A” game. Star players not only want success, they are willing to work for it. So, what can us mere mortal office folk do to become our own office MVPs in 2015?
Seek Out Problems: True stars don’t shy away from adversity. In fact, they embrace it! In business this means seeking out problems that need fixing before anyone else even knows they exist. 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. And, once you come across 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.
Action – Seek out a critical problem nobody is willing to tackle and own it in 2015!
Stretch Yourself: Star athletes are always looking to improve themselves. If you want success, you need to be willing to push yourself… and push yourself hard. You’ll need to stretch beyond your comfort zone. Often times your boss may not realize where your talents are or the best way to use them. So it’s up to you to point out your potential and be willing to take some risks by volunteering to take on tough tasks that may be outside of your comfort zone.
Action – Volunteer for a stretch assignment every quarter in 2015! Look for something your boss is dying to unload.
Promote Your Performance: 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 really doesn’t matter. Star players always find a way to get their coaches to notice them and ultimately give them playing time. I’m not talking about being outright shameless and banging pots and pans, but you do have to step out a little and let management know what you’ve done.
Action – Schedule lunch w/ your boss every month to review your successes, get feedback on your performance, and guidance on how to get to the next level.
Be a Role Model: More specifically, do what you say you are going to do. There is nothing that hurts trust more than when someone doesn’t do what they say they are going to do. 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.
Action – Write down every commitment you make and schedule follow-up!
True stars always step up their play when the game is one the line and in this economy, every company and every job is potentially on the line. Every day is a playoff game in the business world, and those who have found a way to not only survive but thrive put in the effort to get there!