Ways to shine on the job?

[Kathy]

Have you considered that instead of laying low and doing your job and nothing else that perhaps the way to get ahead is to shine?

I know its easier to blend in, do your job and get out. But if you've thought about getting ahead, asking for more responsibility, asking for more income, I think I might find ways to adjust my attitude to doing my best, working smart and providing a positive attitude to be around.

What do you think? Do-able?

[spasmo]

My strategy has always been to try and view myself through the eyes of my boss and my customers. It is my personality to take ownership (in part because I think I am right, and in part because there are not others that want to... so I made a nitch for myself where there had not been a nitch before).

I haven't so much directly asked for more responsibilty, I just took more responsibility and then was rewarded afterward. My motivation was that things REALLY needed to get done and I was going to make sure that I was part of the solution. It would have been FAR WORSE for everyone had no action been taken. It has been my practice that when I see a problem, and I am going to talk to my boss, I didn't just go in with the problem... I also go in with possible solutions.

I highly recommend trying to view ourselves through the eyes of our customers and our employers. Thinking strategically shows us where we have those opportunities to shine the brightest.

[YellowRoseTex]

Yes, it certainly is doable. I was hired to do one particular task, but saw other areas that needed help. I jumped right in and started doing more. I relished the opportunity to show what I could really do. I was noticed. :D

I received a promotion last year. I don't think I would've received the promotion if I had not taken the opportunities that I saw and needed doing.

I do take alot of pride in my job and what I do. I feel a great sense of self satisfaction that I have accomplished tasks that were left languishing for years.

[crunchies0313]

I usually choose not to shine on the job for the mere fact that I feel no one notices. A few months ago I decided to shine evryday. Do what was right. and pick up any slack....today I was rewarded with Mentor of the Quarter and a nice little bonus on my check. This proved my theory wrong. People notice they just don't say anything!

I'm going after a Business Management degree and I am learning now not being a manager what might help workers a the company to perform better! I just think that taking time out to compliment someone for a task can make a world of difference and its just not done anymore.

[Kathy]

Aww Jessica! That's great! Congrats on the award (and the extra cash in your check) Well done!

[Carmen]

I believe my success in employment situations stems from the fact that I am unafraid to suggest improvements and ways to make things better in the company. It's always amazing to me how other employees notice sub-standard, inefficient, and/or money-wasting methods of operation, too, but are too timid to make a proposal for improvement. I can't tell you how many times co-workers have commented to me, "I felt that way, too, but I didn't want to say anything." :rolleyes: Why not? What is the worst thing that could happen by making a suggestion?

I believe that identifying problems and proposing solutions is indicative of leadership qualities. Smart business owners and bosses take notice of employees who have these attributes to contribute. If they fail to take advantage of these talents, it's their loss...you may decide to go to work for one of their competitors! :D

[crunchies0313]

"I felt that way, too, but I didn't want to say anything." :rolleyes: Why not? What is the worst thing that could happen by making a suggestion?


I know a lot of people who are afraid of losing their job or being demoted. In my opinion if you have a problem speaking up at your job, you don't need to be there. I agree with you though Carmen, if you get fired you know that the company is not worth working for, it is just not a good company. I would rather be fired for doing the right thing than the wrong thing.

[YellowRoseTex]

Way to go Jessica! :cheerlead

[spasmo]

Congratulations Jessica! YOU GO GIRL!!!! :signgoodj

[ertech05]

Since I work in the emergency room I am offered many oppertunities to shine on the job..
I always treat my pts how I would want to be treated if I were a pt..And since most recently I have been not only a pt in the ER but a pt on the surg floor this is even more important to me..
Its amazing that if I stop and spend 10 minutes talking to an elderly woman who has a hubby that is sick or if I bring some one a warm blanket how happy that makes them..
On my last of work before I had surg my boss aksed me to go work on another floor..I went and had a really good time answering the phone and inputing doctors orders..
Nice thing was a bit later the nursing supervisor came up and gave me a $5 gift card for the cafeteria cause I was so willing to work on another floor..Too me it wasnt a big deal but I was rewarded anyway....

[Kate]

I usually choose not to shine on the job for the mere fact that I feel no one notices. A few months ago I decided to shine evryday. Do what was right. and pick up any slack....today I was rewarded with Mentor of the Quarter and a nice little bonus on my check. This proved my theory wrong. People notice they just don't say anything!

I'm going after a Business Management degree and I am learning now not being a manager what might help workers a the company to perform better! I just think that taking time out to compliment someone for a task can make a world of difference and its just not done anymore.

Woohoo!! That is awesome, Jess!. :banana: That is something you can put on your resume when you are looking for a job! BTW, where are you taking me to eat with your bonus check??? hehehehehehe

[Mori]

I am the type that does my job & nothing more. I've never really had jobs that allowed me the opportunities to "shine" & when I go home I leave it all behind me. I find that most employers are unappreciative anyways & I don't allow myself to fall for empty promises or be exploited. I've changed careers many times over the years & find that job security is a thing of the past! I've gone from Salesclerk/Cashier to Office Clerk/Data Entry to Electronics Inspection & finally Early Childhood Educator & I'm thinking of switching again because I've yet to experience job satisfaction. :o

[PositivelyMental]

Cynthia:

You rock! A nurse who brings patients warm blankets has a sunny spot in Heaven! As a many time patient, I thank you for all who were too upset or preoccupied to thank you. Rest assured it didn't go unnoticed!!!

Jessica:

How awsome is that!!! You GO!

All: Just think of how it brightens your day when someone puts that extra enthusiasm in their voice when they interact with you (not the fake kind, the real "hey I'm glad your here" kind). Be that enthusiasm and warmth we all need. Share that smile they needed.

So, yes, Kathy its do-able. And you know what, it's fun!

(((Hugs!)))

PMA (Positive Mental Attitude!)

Michelle

[jcme]

I struggle with the concept of laying low and trying to shine. Depending on who is my manager at the time, one way can be better than another. Sometimes speaking up or offering other ways to do things is taken the wrong way. Some people get defensive if the way they do things is questioned.

[mezzo soprano]

Of course, when things are going less-than-wonderful in your life, it's hard to "shine" at work. And if you're a "shiny" employee, and you want to lay low for a time, this tends to get noticed. So being a top-notch employee has some risk attached to it.

That being said, I wish all of my employees wanted to shine! So much of my job tends to be trying to mind-read, figure out what employees want, what motivates them... we managers tend to get burned out constantly trying to light a spark in others.

The key is always communication. No matter how much you're communicating (either top-down or down-up) it's never really enough! Always over-communicate rather than the other way around. Management can't help if they don't know what's going on. Similarly, management can't know what's going on if they don't listen!!

[mmm1207]

After reading the post from Carman, I have another side to the wanting to change things to get noticed.
We have a new employee at work that is always trying to change how we do things. To begin with, she doesn't understand the process enough to make changes. Just changing things to get noticed is not always the right thing to do. Our boss let her change one process and it has been totally screwed up ever since.

[PositivelyMental]

Well, I've been given a couple of employees to manage and I called today to let them know how thrilled I am to be working more closely with them and to open my door to communication whether it be positive or some much needed venting.

I assured them that I am here to support THEM. And, that I know that they have ideas for how to improve their work experience and I'm here to listen.

I want to be the type of manager that is worthy of extra effort. A lot of that is about just getting in there, rolling up your sleeves and leading by example! And, rewarding good behavior consistently. I know if I approach my job expecting to be happy on whole, and at the end of the day I've done my best... that's a good day.

So, that's my goal!