| Workplace Success Myths & Tips | January 2012 |
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Happy New Year! May you have good health, happiness, and prosperity in 2012!
Are you one of the many who make New Year resolutions? So what if nearly 70% of first attempts at resolutions fail--that's no reason not to try! A key to success is to garner support to help you succeed.
Though we can't help you with weight loss or fitness or debt management, we can be your support for achieving greater success in the workplace, being happier on the job, or helping others achieve those outcomes!
This month the focus is on COOPERATION. This goes hand and hand with garnering support for your resolutions. |
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Boosting COOPERATION: Make the REACH Framework work for you:
COOPERATION is the fourth element of the REACH framework. Though companies hire employees for their unique abilities and experience, the human potential in organizations can exponentially increase through cooperation.
At times it may feel like your workplace is a game of Survivor where only one person gets promoted, recognized, etc. The essential employee avoids playing that game in the workplace. Here are some tips to boost your COOPERATION on the job and avoid getting "voted off the island."
1. Be an alliance builder with no bounds. Find ways to work with a variety of people. Continually expand your alliances and don't count anyone out. If you find yourself avoiding someone because you just don't understand them or they seem weird--that is the person you need to find a reason to work with. When there is greater contrast, individual and collective strengths are likely to emerge.
2. Give wild and crazy ideas some thought. When coworkers come together, some absurd ideas can surface. History tells us that sometimes those seemingly outlandish thoughts lead to breakthrough solutions. Unfortunately, those wild ideas are often set aside or laughed off. Give thought and pursuit to some of those ideas by inviting others to consider it as a point of exploration.
3. Base your thoughts and actions on current facts. When it comes to cooperation and building your alliance don't base your thoughts or actions on last year's experience. Base them on current facts. People change, situations change, and what was true yesterday is not necessarily true today. Question, probe, and don't let your cooperation get dragged down by heresay, history, or hysteria.
4. Keep all deals out in the open. Be a model of cooperation with your reliable and forthright interactions. Hold yourself accountable for completing tasks on time, proactively participating in groups, accepting your share of project work, and openly sharing information with members of your group.
Try some or all these tips in January. Let us know how they helped your cooperation and success in the workplace. |
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Q&A:
Here is a question from Carl in Oklahoma:
"I'm getting ready to start a new job. How do I know who I should be cooperating with?"
Our Answer:
Carl, congratulations! How exciting to start a new job! You will have a lot to absorb in your first few weeks. Here are two suggestions for preparing yourself to be cooperative.
1. Take notes. As you are introduced to various tasks take note of the process steps, hints, shortcuts, and resources to help you solve any issues you may encounter. Ask who among your co-workers would be a resource. Write it down--don't think you will remember everything.
2. Meet each co-worker. First contact may be a brief introduction--though it is still an opportunity to learn who to cooperate with and on what. Show interest in learning about your co-workers -- find out what their role is in the company and how long they have been on the job. Then upon leaving reflect back to them "It's nice to meet you. If I have any questions about [their area of expertise] I will be sure to get in touch with you". After the encounter or at the end of the day write notes about who, what, and where.
3. Find opportunities. Listen for opportunities to work with others on special projects or customer issues. Ask questions, learn all you can about the business and make yourself a resource to others.
In no time you will find that you have a wealth of information about who and what--then it is just a matter of finding those opportunities and putting yourself out there. |
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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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