Six Steps…to being the Best Employee Possible
Let me ask you a basic question. Are you valuable to your employer? I’m not talking about “doing your job” or filling a space at your desk. I’m talking about going above and beyond. Do you ask questions no one else asks? Do you do more than is expected? Are you engaged in your work? Are you an inspiration to your co-workers?
I will assume that since you are reading this blog, you are interested in succeeding. To succeed, you need to do what others won’t. I would guess that 65% of all employees do exactly what they are suppose to do and 10% do less. That means only 25% add value (it is probably less than 25% but let’s be positive). It is these 25% who earn the money and get the promotions.
Success is not accidental. Again, success is NOT accidental. Think about any successful person you admire. I bet that person added value in all they did. Sure, they made mistakes, but overall, they added value to their employers, their bosses, their customers, to everyone who they came in contact with.
Here are few easy steps to add value each day:
- Download The Add Value Worksheet.
- Review your job description.
Dig out your job description. Sure, you haven’t looked at it since you were hired, but get it out and note all of your responsibilities. Write them in the Add Value Worksheet. - Review additional work activities.
Next, take some time to think of everything else you are expected to do but aren’t in your job description. Add these to the list. - Rate your Value Score on the worksheet.
Be honest on this one. - Collaborate with your boss.
Don’t complete the worksheet in a vacuum. Ask your boss how you can add more value. Share the completed worksheet with him/her. You don’t want to add tasks to your day that you think add value when in reality your boss sees them as time-wasters. In addition, your boss may think of great ideas you may have never considered. - Craft an Action Plan.
For those items where you rated yourself as a 1 or a 2, create an action plan to add value. Think of concrete ways you can add value to your expected responsibility. What can you do each day that will “WOW” your boss, co-workers, subordinates, or customers?
After you complete the worksheet it is time to act! Post the list in your cube or office. Each day make sure you are following your action plan. It will not be easy, but remember, success doesn’t come easy.
Thank you thank you thank you! I downloaded the worksheet and it was great. When I pulled out my job description I was horrified that I didn’t do half the things on there!
Question - should I do this sheet and then review it with my supervisor or should I keep it private?
Thanks…
I was laid off a few years ago and the likely reason was that I did not add value. Don’t get me wrong, I thought I added value but in reality, looking back, I didn’t. In fact, after reading this, I’m starting to get worried!
I haven’t used the worksheet yet but I’m thinking about doing that soon…what with all the talk of recession and such.
As a technical recruiter for 20 years, I cannot tell you how important it is to add value. Not just at your job but in EVERYTHING you do. Always give 110%. Give 100% (in your job description) and then give another 10-20% to show you are an awsome employee.
I just emailed you…may I use your worksheet? I think some of my clients will find it helpful.
I’ll add another item to the list…Talk with you boss BEFORE you complete this worksheet. I’m a supervisor and if an employee would bring me this worksheet and say he/she wants to improve by tracking how they add value, I’d jump for joy! If the employee listened and then followed the sheet making improvements, that employee would never need to worry about getting laid off. They’d be a shining star in my book.
The employee should also come back to you periodically to see if the items on the worksheet change. This way, the employee is constantly in touch with you, the organization and expectations.
Hey Cube monkey - I really like the site. You seem new given that your posts don’t go back very far…but, I’m enjoying it…keep up the good work!
Good point..yes, they should check every so often to make sure the worksheet is up-to-date - business changes quickly!!!!
[…] Make sure you are adding value at work in everything you do. I won’t belabor the point as I already wrote about this in another article. All I’ll say here is, do 100% of what is in your job description and then do 20% more. In […]
Thanks for the comments everyone. Stega, yes, please use the worksheet! Just tell them where you got it
I also agree with “hey big boss”…it is good to keep your management in the loop. I’m actually working on an article that will discuss managing the relationship with your boss.
Hey Stega1043 - You’ve been in your cubicle too long. There is no such thing as more than 100%. Last time I checked, 100% means EVERYTHING, so it’s impossible to go beyond that. This is just one of those corporate catch phrases that means nothing.
By the way, all you other people are pathetic lap dogs. I mean this is a site dedicated to giving MORE to THE MAN. You are all slaves, making the rich man richer while bankrupting your own personal lives. Fight the power!
OfficeBully,
How is working for a living “bankrupting your own personal lives”. That is a very negative way to look at life and a job. If that’s the way you or anyone feels about his/he job, it’s time to move on and find a new job!
Most of the world works for someone else. There is nothing wrong with that. Some people don’t like to work for anyone but themselves and that’sgreat too. We all have different goals in life. Choose yours, live your life to the fullest and let others live theirs.
And there is such a thing as more than 100%. If a salesperson sells 100 widgets this year and sells 210 widgets next year, guess what? That’s a 110% increase
[…] far I’ve discussed how to avoid being laid off by being a great employee, how to recession-proof your career, and how to financially prepare just in case you are laid off. […]
[…] Make sure you are adding value at work in everything you do. I won’t belabor the point as I already wrote about this in another article. All I’ll say here is, do 100% of what is in your job description and then do 20% more. In […]
[…] don’t encourage you to slack at work or to be a goof off. In fact, I encourage you to be the best employee possible. However, I was having coffee with a few friends a while back and we started to talk about how much […]