Want the inside scoop on what makes you retainable & promotable in an uncertain work environment? No matter your field, here is a short list of traits that can make you excel at work.
Are you worried about your work situation? Over 20+ years in business and ministry leadership, I’ve found 3 traits that make someone excel at work, regardless of field and through most kinds of economic climates.
1. Be Real AND Solution-Oriented
If Eeyore is your spirit animal, you’ll have problems at work (and likely everywhere else). Debbie Downer doesn’t get promoted. But, you likely already knew that.
What’s less obvious is that neither does the positive person who ignores problems, or stops at just identifying them. Problem identification is necessary, but it’s only the first step in adding value. If you never invest yourself in the solution to problems, then you never truly add value to your organization. Worse, you could get labeled “expendable” or “unpromotable”.
TIP: Don’t ignore problems. But, don’t stop at pointing them out. Move to the solution side. When you find a problem, bring it to your supervisor with at least 1 proposed solution. Then, work together to refine a solution and stay invested in it. You will add more value and deepen your understanding of how your organization works. You will grow and so will your value.
2. Do More Than What’s “Required”
There’s a saying in leadership: “It’s better to reign in a mustang than to kick a mule.”
Mustangs get things done. Even things they aren’t required to do. They may need to be tamed, but their nature is to move. Mules CAN get things done. They just sometimes choose not to. Mules are stubborn and hard to motivate. They don’t lack ability, they lack mindset.
Be a mustang. Go above and beyond. But, also go below and beneath. If something needs to be done (big or small) that’s within your ability to do, then DO IT.
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” - Colossians 3:23
Whenever I feel like a mule, I ask myself, “Would I do this for Jesus?” That helps me set my heart to be a mustang.
TIP: There are 4 words that will make you expendable…”That’s not my job.” Replace those with “How can I help?” Be a mustang. Not a mule.
3. Overcome the Fear of Failure
The term “dead end job” describes a role that people get trapped in. But, what are they trapped by? Most often, a fear of failure that prevents them from trying anything new.
You’ve heard the saying “Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t.” False. You don’t want to know any devil! You especially don’t want him trapping you into an unfulfilling role for life. God doesn’t want that for you either.
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” - 2 Timothy 1:7
TIP: If you find yourself “trapped” by the fear of failure, ask yourself “What would I do if I wasn’t afraid, but was full of power, love and self-discipline?” Then act like that and leave the outcome to God. Courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s the ability to trust God and overcome the fear.
How do you start? Pick one of these traits to focus on. Tell someone you trust about it and ask them to check in on you regularly to see how it’s going. It will start you on the right track!
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