| Workplace Success Myths & Tips | August 2010
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Greetings!
Remember the excitment of getting ready for a new school year? New supplies, clothes, and the sheer anticipation of starting something new. Would you like to feel that same way about your job -- your career?
This month's issue provides tips for staying enthusiastic. You can apply the tips in your workplace or at home. Enjoy! And share this information with your friends, colleagues, and family.
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| Stay ENTHUSIASTIC--Tip for Being Essential
ENTHUSIASM --the second element of the REACH Framework.
What does it mean to be enthusiastic? Enthuasiam is an attitude, a frame of mind that is exemplified in what you say and do. It shows in everything you do. You show enthusiasm with a joyful tone in your voice, upright posture, eye contact with others, and with words that are positive and uplifting to those around you. When you are enthusiastic, your colleagues, peers, and management notice!
Staying enthusiastic will cause others to gravitate toward you. Your network will increase--opening up new opportunities for your success. Here are some tips to help you stay ENTHUSIASTIC:
- Be positive about your company/organization. Avoid saying negative things about the organization you work for. Love your organization and its mission.
- Be proactive to understand things that cause you dissatisfaction. Have you ever heard the saying "one bad apple doesn't spoil the whole bunch?" The same goes with work. Don't generalize about your job or the organization based on one thing. Separate the issue from the overall organization--and then speak up and seek to have your needs met.
- Be an advocate. It is your responsibility to advocate for your organization. However, if you feel you can no longer support your chosen organization even after trying to shift your perspective, it may be time to move on and respect that you have become incompatible with the situation.
- Avoid falling into the rumor trap. Take rumors for what they are -- bits and pieces of information which may or may not be true. In order to stay enthusiastic, refocus your thinking toward the things you like about your position, the opportunities you have, and what excited you about the work when you accepted the position.
ENTHUSIASM can be summed up with the phrase "love of organization". If you do not love the organization you chose to work for -- then why stay? As long as you choose to stay, you need to be enthusiastic to remain essential to your organization.
What situations are most challenging to your enthusiasm? Contact us by clicking the link at the bottom of this page. We would love to hear your stories and how these tips are working for you!
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Q&A:
Here is a question from Jeremy in Columbia, SC: "Being a "yes" person; isn't that the only sure fire way to succeed in the workplace?"
Our Answer:
That is a tricky question, Jeremy. Saying "yes" at work is indeed part of being essential. However, saying "yes" all the time -- even in situations where the company values and your own values or the needs of others are disregarded -- is not a way to achieve long term success.
No doubt that many of us can look to situations where an individual had short term success by being overly accommodating to their bosses. Essential employees are not "yes" people at all. They are:
True to themselves. They know their own values and do not compromise for the sake of short-term success.
Committed to success for the organization. They recognize their success is linked to the organization's success. They understand their role in supporting the organization's mission and they work to achieve RESULTS that matter.
People of integrity. They speak up when necessary to right the wrongs and raise issues in a productive way. They always act with unquestionable integrity.
Bottom line: Say "yes" when it is appropriate, in the organization's best interest, and in line with your own values. Otherwise, provide a dissenting constructive voice that seeks to benefit your organization. |
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Quick Links
essentialemployee.com
Workplace Success Store
Essential Team Leader Research
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What People are Saying about
"The Essential Employee" and the Newsletter
"A page-turner! A simple, but effective way to illustrate the five behaviors that are critical for success and retention in today's highly competitive workplace."
-Roberta Nichols, PhD
"I read the first few chapters of "The Essential Employee" last night and found it difficult to put down. The story line teaches a lesson while remaining engaging for the reader. I would recommend this to other educators."
- Carissa Monatukwa, Teacher
"Thanks for your last newsletter with interviewing tips. I plan to use the information in my classes this week."
- James Edward, Professor
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Learn More:
Do you want to learn more about becoming more essential (and competitive) in the workplace - or would you like to help others become more essential? Be sure to confirm your email subscription at the top of this newsletter to continue to receive information about today's workplace and how to succeed in it.
Please forward this to the graduates, employees, supervisors, or educators in your life. They will appreciate your thoughtfulness (and our tips)!
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Recommended Resources
The first book in the series is available!
"The Essential Employee: The Adventures of Carmen Senz."
Check out this engaging, easy-to-read story based on research in organizations across the USA. The story is about Carmen Senz's first six months at work and the lessons she learns about being an essential employee. It's a fun way to learn important lessons that will make you more essential in the workplace.
"I have read the first few chapters of The Essential Employee and found it difficult to put down. The story line teaches a lesson while remaining engaging for the reader. I would recommend this to other educators." - Carissa Monatukwa, Teacher
"Essential Employee Facilitation Guide"
The perfect resource for teachers and trainers to implement "The Essential Employee" in a learning environment. Includes suggestions for learning activities both in and away from the classroom.
"I highly recommend this book to training professionals, employers and most importantly to employees who want to discover what it takes to build their skills and be successful." - Karen Holcomb, Executive Director
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About Us
Judy Free and Traci Maddox are friends, colleagues, and co-authors of "The Essential Employee." They met in 1999 and worked together for several years as organization consultants-helping large and small organizations implement change. During their work together, they discovered a mutual passion for helping individuals succeed! And so they embarked on the journey to help employees become more successful in the workplace. Most books are written for leaders and managers-but Traci and Judy thought employees could benefit from their own book. Thus, Carmen (our heroine) was born to teach all of us how to be more essential.
Traci and Judy conduct speaking engagements and workshops all over the country-helping others understand and use the REACH framework outlined in their book. In addition, they both own thriving consulting practices and work on a wide variety of projects like strategic planning, change management, teambuilding, facilitation, and training. Their desire is to help individuals and organizations REACH their Peaks.
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Use Our News As A Resource
Would you like to reprint something you have read here? If so, you MUST include our bio and link. Please use the following information (changes only if we have reviewed and approved them):
Judy Free and Traci Maddox are authors, organization consultants, and coaches whose passion is to help individuals and organizations REACH their peaks. They help people across the USA become more effective, more focused, and more successful. Receive their free news updates and workplace tips at www.essentialemployee.com
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Thank you for your time and interest! Visit us at www.essentialemployee.com for events, workshops, surveys, products, and more information.
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