Four Rules for Career Success

I'm of that age. I'm a boss. A friend of other bosses.

I hear both sides now. The employees (like me) who are struggling for direction, recognition, growth. And, the bosses (also like me) wanting to feel confident in their staff, hoping for always-improving performance.

But, somehow, the two sides rarely seem to clearly communicate. To define, mentor, move forward.

So, for all you fellow white-collar employees out there, I share with you four lessons - learned on both sides of the fence - that represent the traits of an indispensable employee:

• Never be silent in a meeting. You're there for a reason. Participate. Add value. Take notes.
• Always build trust. Demonstrate that you understand the business - the entire business, not just your department - and your boss's painpoints. Take actions that show you're a responsive steward of the business, the brand and your boss's sanity.
• Keep generating ideas. New ideas. Fresh perspectives. Not just words/pictures/projects/research or whatever the details of your job description mandate.
• Learn to read a room. Nothing will get you farther in business than empathy. Stop talking when eyes glaze. Offer solutions when brows crease. Pay attention to all the nonverbal feedback coming your way and act on it.

Comments

[Jon Burg]

I really enjoy these lists - great for keeping yourself balanced and on-track. Thanks for sharing, please keep them coming!

[Isabelle]

I always like when you do those knid of posts.

Althrough I agree with you, it's not in all the companies that can be done. Old style companies prefer employees that execute nor then employees that are responsabilized and try to add value....

[Andrey Po]

Thanks for ideas.
Very interesting list
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[ivv]

How about a list for an indispensable boss? :)

[Paul Corrigan]

Excellent list. I would add one.

Don't be afraid of failure.

[BobG]

Thanks for taking the time to share lessons like this. I'd add a few additional tips that I share with every new hire:

- Own your projects
- You are always on stage
- Manage your manager
- Build client relationships (so that it's easier to help you improve than to fire you)

Bob

[Ian]

Good list. Although I disagree with your advice to never be silent in a meeting. As I get further on in my career I've become a big believer that "still waters run deep." Not 100% of the time - you can't be a mute. But you've got to measure your words - otherwise they are just verbal spam.