Employee

June is devoted to being great at work – developing into a great leader.  Step one to being a great leader starts with being a wonderful employee.  Leaders model and inspire others with their actions.  Remember, every day you’re being interviewed by those around you.  How you act is a clear indication of the qualities you will display as a future leader.  Start now by patterning behavior that will serve you and those around you.  It’s easy to be a star employee, here are some reminders to get you started.

Reminder 1:  You can never be late.  Simple yet often overlooked.  Being on time or a little early for meetings, appointments and everything else shows respect for others.  Showing up for work on time and for everything else sets an example for others, conveys that you have your life under control and that you’re on top of everything.

Reminder 2:  Sloppy.  Powerful people are not sloppy people.  Every time you walk out of your house, you may run into your future employer, dress appropriately.  Neat, clean and put together is an easy way to show others your confidence and ability to handle anything.  This also applies to your work space.  Make sure you are organized, without endless piles of paper, you’re conveying that you can handle anything that comes your way.

Reminder 3:  Moody.  Do others know who is showing up everyday?  There is no place for moody in the workplace, leave it behind in your car.  Consistency in your mood, a happy, positive demeanor gets promoted.  You want to be someone who others want to be around.

Reminder 4:  Take initiative.  Do more than you’re asked to do.  Go the extra mile.  Help others when you can.  Share your ideas in meetings and with your supervisor.  Think about how you can make the work easier, better for your customers and more efficient for the company.  Use your imagination and think.  Leaders do more then the minimum requirements of any job.

Reminder 5:  No complaints.  Negative thoughts and discussions don’t move you or the organization forward.  If something is wrong, or just not right, come up with a solution – better yet, come up with several solutions.  Bring these solutions to those that can effect change.  You’ll be seen as a fixer, rather than a complainer.  This will move your career forward, very fast.

Reminder 6:  No gossip.  When you talk about someone, good or bad, who is not around, it is gossip.  When you allow others to talk about someone without them being present, you are allowing gossip.  You’ll get the reputation and others will wonder what you’re saying about them when they aren’t around.  Build trust with everyone you encounter by avoiding gossip and not allowing others to gossip in front of you.

Reminder 7:  Make your boss look good.  Follow this simple rule throughout your career and you will be successful.  If you ever fall into a situation that you can’t because you don’t like or respect your boss, it’s time to find a new job and a new boss.

Have I missed anything?  What has been your experience?  We’ll continue to explore the steps to leadership throughout the month.  Leave your comments below.

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