In today's competitive work environment, standing out is key. Often times, employees focus on honing their technical skills in an effort to gain recognition and promotion. Unfortunately, some employees emphasize the development of technical expertise so much that they fail to develop the highly valuable "soft skills" that executives also look for when selecting new leaders. Habits like professionalism, proactive communication, and a consistently positive attitude can often give employees a competitive edge over their similarly qualified – but less well-rounded – peers at promotion time.
Professionalism
One of the simplest ways to stand out from the crowd in today's competitive work environment is by being professional. According to Webster's Dictionary, a professional is one who exhibits "a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace." More than that, a true 21st century professional recognizes the unique pitfalls associated with today's "Constant Contact/YouTube" culture and, as a result, holds to high standards of professionalism in every place. Just ask 17-year-old Kimberley Swann of the UK who was fired last year after posting a Facebook message saying that her job was "boring."
When in doubt about what would actually pass the "professionalism test," consider the following guidelines culled from a few well-known business experts including Peter Post of the Emily Post Institute for Etiquette and Rob Hard of BusinessTravelDestinations.com:
- Topics of Conversation. Keep your conversations professional by sticking to topics that would be of interest to a broad cross-section of individuals without being divisive. Safe topics might include business forecasts, trends, and best practices – especially those that are relevant to your industry. Avoid discussing personal topics like home finances, salary, health diagnoses (yours and others), and office gossip.
- Speech. Though it's obvious to some, for others it's still important to note – slang and profane speech are considered unprofessional and should be avoided.
- Attire. Always err on the side of conservatism, even if you work in a "business casual" environment. Skirts should be at or below the knee and fit comfortably without being "tight." The same "comfortable fit" rules apply to shirts, blouses, and slacks. In addition, always be sure to avoid wrinkles and dirt. Clean, press, and polish everything.
- Relationships. If you aspire to the highest level of professionalism, limit your dating to non-coworkers.
- Social Media. Take a lesson from Kimberley Swann. Don't post anything about your job – or yourself---that you wouldn't be proud for your supervisor and coworkers to know. Remember: the world is watching.
Proactive Communication
Another way to stand out at work is by being proactive in your communication. Rather than forcing your boss to come to you for information, anticipate his or her information needs and meet them – in advance. For example, if you're working on a project that requires you to submit monthly status reports, don't wait until the due date to comply. Instead, plan to exceed expectations by creating biweekly updates. If you do, it's likely that you will not only succeed in easing some of your supervisor's data gathering load, but also be well on your way to demonstrating your overall commitment to the success of the project, the organization – and your boss.
Positive Attitude
While the age-old encouragement to "keep a positive attitude" may sound trite, the truth is that employers place great value on employees that consistently demonstrate a positive one. As a matter of fact, a 2008 workforce survey by the Society of Human Resource Management and the Wall Street Journal reported that one of the two skills that employers valued most in their employees was "adaptability" – clearly an attitudinal trait. Below, find a few quick tips designed to help you to cultivate the winning attitude that so many employers are looking for:
- Don't "talk the problem." Solve it. Complaining is easy – and annoying. Before going to your boss with a problem, take the time formulate two to three potential solutions. In this way, you can begin to earn a reputation as a problem solver rather than just another "high maintenance" employee.
- Don't be a slacker. Work hard. One of the most common complaints that supervisors have about employees is that so few have a strong work ethic. The next time you're tempted to drag into the office 20 minutes late, or extend a break beyond the alloted time, remember that just as your employer owes you a paycheck, you owe your employer an honest day's work. Keep your end of the bargain, and trust management to do the same. Even if they don't, you'll stay come out ahead knowing that you did your best. You'll also be fully prepared to move to a better organization where your efforts are rewarded.
- Steer clear of office politics. Don't allow yourself to get mired by this common "professional" problem. Take the high road, mind your own business, and embrace true professionalism. You'll sleep better at night, and move up the chain based on your own merit.
The "Economy-Proof" Professional
While it's true that times are tough and many economic indicators are not as strong as they once were, it's equally true that business must continue on. Organizations in every sector are still buying, selling, and providing services here at home, and around the world. Thankfully for those of us who work for a living, that's not something that any organization can do on its own. Businesses are only as good as the employees that work for them – and savvy leaders know that. By taking the time to develop into a true professional who communicates proactively and maintains a positive attitude, you will be able to shield yourself from the "ups and downs" of an unstable economy and become a truly outstanding employee in the workplace.
Andrea C.T. Smith - Andrea Smith's formal education includes a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and a Master's degree in Public Administration. Through more ...
