What’s the one thing that you can do that is simple and concrete that will get you ahead at work? It’s making your boss’s job easier.
Hear me out - I know that sounds patronizing and annoying, but it’s true. If I hire someone into a job, I’ve already done a LOT of work to prove that I needed that position created. It is sooooo much work to hire someone - see my blog about how to navigate your first hire as a manager. It’s probably taken me six to eight months to get to the point of hiring you…Okay, now that I’ve made your job all about me and the interview process, let’s talk a little bit about that job that you’re actually doing. Even though it’s been an anxiety- and stress-filled time for you, remember that it's to fill a job that I need to be done.
I think one of the key things to recognize is that a job was created because there is a need in the department. I’m going to be totally blunt here - I didn’t give you a job because you needed a job. I gave you a job because you are the most qualified person to perform a task that I - and the department - needs to get done.
As your manager, I do care about you and your life - but I also have job responsibilities and life responsibilities of my own. I literally do not have the time or emotional space in my day to know everything about your work or your life or anyone else on my team. I can’t read your mind any more than you can read mine. I also don’t want to micromanage you. So documenting all of your highs and lows is critical. I need you to
Set up a 1:1 with me to review your projects and goals on a regular basis
Remind me what you are working on (keep track of it on the Work Accomplishments tool, in the Annual Job Evaluation Bundle), what you are having trouble with and where your overall plans are taking you. Actually, you need this for the sake of your own goals and your future. (see my blog post Career Planning is Self Care, check out this article at CBSNews that describes women’s pay gap over lifetime earnings and this article at CNBC as to the age of greatest earnings for both men and women and therefore the importance of planning while you are still in the beginning of your career)
Review your job description (check out our Job Assessment tool) and assess whether your job duties have drifted from the original plan. If they have, are you doing more or less than you expected? Are you okay with that? If you’re doing less complicated work, maybe that’s what you want. (Check out New Planner Recruiting’s Finders, Minders and Grinders to see which category you fit into). Maybe you’re at a point in your personal life where you need to coast for a while (this was me when I had toddlers - I just needed to get through each week and be able to leave my work at work). Remember that this is fine and you should be giving yourself some grace. Whether that lasts days or months or even years will depend on your life situation.
Are you periodically updating your progress on your assigned goals?
Maintain your Continuing Education so that I don’t have to worry about meeting the accreditation requirements.
Take ownership of your projects. What does this look like? Come to me with problems and possible solutions as soon as you hit a stumbling block.
This is where using a system to create habits (like the one James Clear describes in Atomic Habits) or using Agile philosophy can ensure that you are making continuous incremental progress.
Comentários