| Workplace Success Myths & Tips | January 2011 |
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Dear (Contact First Name),
Happy New Year! With the arrival of 2011, I'm filled with optimism about new opportunities--opportunities that don't just drop at my doorstep. These opportunities are the ones I make happen!
Opportunities are a favorable juncture of circumstances, and they surround us. However, some of us are better at recognizing them than others. So, how do you expand your sensitivity to opportunities? Through others...through cooperation!
Cooperation is an instance of working or acting together for a common purpose or benefit. Do you seeing where this is going?
Cooperation => Opportunities
This month's issue provides tips for being cooperative and expanding your recognition of opportunities. Cooperation is also the fourth behavior in the REACH framework for Essential Employees. Enjoy! Share this information with your friends, colleagues, and family. |
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Being Cooperative --Tip for Being Essential
The ability to see opportunities is not a gift--it is a matter of perspective. Think if you were a goose flying over the course of your life. What opportunities would you see? Compare that with flying in a flock of geese who understand what you are looking for, your interests, and your goals. How would your perspective change? How much more would you achieve? The same is true in life. Every time you cooperate, you expand your reach and your perspective..
What does cooperation mean? In our context, not only does it mean working well with others to achieve a specific goal, it also means sharing your goals, your wants, and your interests to expand your network.
Here are five tips to improve your cooperation:
1. Be Present. Ground yourself in the reality of where you are, your gifts and talents and what you want for yourself. When you have clarity about yourself, your attempts to cooperate with others will be viewed as sincere.
2. Involve others. Whether it is how to complete a first-time task or solve a once-in-a-lifetime problem. The old adage that more brains are better than one applies here. Sure, to share your goals means that you might be setting yourself up for criticism. This is the risk-reward continuum; you have to be willing try if you want the chance to reap the rewards. And that criticism might help you take important steps toward being more successful!
3. Be compassionate. Learn about the interests of others. Respect them and let everyone's strengths shine. Act in a way that is mutually satisfying.
4. Recognize that success is unlimited.
Approach each day with the thought that success for others is on the path to your own success. Success is limitless. Unless you're in an individual sporting event, never compete except against yourself.
5. Appreciate diversity. Like many, you may gravitate to those who are most like you. Expanding our network to those among us who are different in race, work experience, education, religion, or personality can enrich our lives, our thinking, and our perspectives. Reach out to those who you just don't understand or are unlike you.
Ask successful people to share their stories and undoubtedly they will talk about others who opened doors, created new connections, or helped them to see opportunities they didn't know existed. Create favorable opportunities through COOPERATION. |
Q&A:
Here is a question from Robert in Knoxville, TN: "My performance is measured against my peers so I'm hesitant to share ideas or suggestions with co-workers. How do I cooperate while I'm competing with them?"
Our Answer: Robert, your situation is true in so many organizations. Unfortunately, many reward systems are behind the times and don't accommodate the fact that most of today's work is done in teams. These reward systems can artificially limit employee success and can actually lead to organizational failure. Here are a couple of things for you to think about when you work in a flawed performance management system: 1. Ask yourself: "Who do I need to make this the best product or service possible? What would happen if I cooperated with them? Might it lead to something dramatically different in terms of results for the organization?" If so, act in that manner. Would your organization ignore fantastic results just because they don't neatly align themselves to the existing performance system? 2. Being essential in the workplace is having the honor to always do your best for your organization; even if some systems or processes present obstacles. Step up and be the first courageous one to work with others. Try to find innovative ways to achieve results that matter to the organization. When you get results that matter they will be recognized. Not only will your accomplishments will give you personal satisfaction, your cooperation and network-building also might open doors for you for a future promotion. |
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"The Essential Employee," the Newsletter, and our REACH Workshops
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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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