3 Tips On Building Success In The Workplace

You’ve probably heard the advice: “Keep your head down, work hard, and you’ll get that promotion” as a means of encouraging you to along your path to professional success. Unfortunately, that’s an old-school tactic. The game has changed: these days, professional success is rarely a result of just working hard.

Past generations were privileged with job security. One could work at the same company for 20+ years without fear of being laid off, be continually promoted based on loyalty among other factors, and enjoy a comfortable retirement with a pension or other reliable benefits. Those of us in the workforce now know that we don’t have those privileges – the market is volatile, companies can start up and decline, and corporate vision can change direction at any time.

So how can you make sure that you are doing your best to move up the chain of command and remain relevant in an ever-changing landscape? Read on for 3 tips on building success in the workplace:

1. Be (Genuinely) Enthusiastic

Your attitude is one of the first things people will notice about you, and one they will surely remember. From your first interview until your last day at any job, people will associate your name with however you made them feel. If you can make a point of greeting every challenging project or dull assignment with a can-do attitude, your colleagues will want to keep you around because they know you can keep them looking ahead, even when the going gets tough.

2. Say “Thank You” Early and Often

I can’t stress this one enough: express sincere gratitude whenever you can. Your boss gives you timely feedback? Say thank you. Your colleague spends time helping you learn a new skill? Say thank you. Your colleagues will be more likely to put in a good word for you if you are sincere and generous in your gratitude.

3. Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

It’s tough to even think about all of the “work” that goes into being successful in the workplace. There are so many rules, written and unwritten, about team dynamics, hierarchies, and project processes. It’s easier to sit back and continually do what you’ve been told to do the way you’ve been told to do it than it is to think about how you can improve what you’re working on.

Believe me, I’ve fallen into the trap of “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” to avoid the discomfort of the unknown. If you can take the time to gather your thoughts and suggest innovative ideas to your colleagues and supervisors, you will find that you are making a name for yourself as someone who can be relied on to turn things around while also adding lasting value to your team.