Published on Wednesday, Jan 23, 2008
Just working hard and doing a good job is no longer enough. The new workplace is filled with landmines – some external, most others of our own making!
Shocking, but true. Our everyday interactions are peppered with certain self-defeating behaviours that undermine our career and sabotage our own success. A gamut of emotions from anger and fear to frustration and disappointment run riot, as we are bew ildered over why despite sincere efforts, we fail to win at work. As Karen Glatzer, a top executive and leadership coach says, “many talented executives and rising stars are making a mistake. Sure, hard work is critical and creating value is essential and yet, these things are not enough!” The complex and competitive workplace sounds an alarm bell for recognising personal traps that become obstacles and prevent us from performing our best. In fact, the most successful people are those who can protect themselves by smartly handling the unseen traps, thus deflecting any potential damage.
There is a great deal of pressure today; we have to be strategic in order to achieve something. Wake up and break free of the subtle, yet common traps that we unknowingly set for ourselves. Then and only then, can we scale new levels of efficiency, advancement and success.
Shocking, but true. Our everyday interactions are peppered with certain self-defeating behaviours that undermine our career and sabotage our own success. A gamut of emotions from anger and fear to frustration and disappointment run riot, as we are bew ildered over why despite sincere efforts, we fail to win at work. As Karen Glatzer, a top executive and leadership coach says, “many talented executives and rising stars are making a mistake. Sure, hard work is critical and creating value is essential and yet, these things are not enough!” The complex and competitive workplace sounds an alarm bell for recognising personal traps that become obstacles and prevent us from performing our best. In fact, the most successful people are those who can protect themselves by smartly handling the unseen traps, thus deflecting any potential damage.
There is a great deal of pressure today; we have to be strategic in order to achieve something. Wake up and break free of the subtle, yet common traps that we unknowingly set for ourselves. Then and only then, can we scale new levels of efficiency, advancement and success.
Loyalty to yourself
The days of blind loyalty to the company went out of the window along with job security and permanent employment. So much so that, unquestioningly obeying orders and staying put born of a blind commitment is not a job virtue anymore, in fact it’s a straight course for trouble.
With employees coming and going by the day, it’s high time you recognise the warning signs of retrenchment and restructuring. Prudence dictates that you change with the times as employers are becoming intolerant and consider everyone largely expendable. It is essential to make your own judgements and function with a degree of self-interest. To succeed on the job, your interests must definitely parallel those of the company, but they must also parallel your own vision of the future!
The days of blind loyalty to the company went out of the window along with job security and permanent employment. So much so that, unquestioningly obeying orders and staying put born of a blind commitment is not a job virtue anymore, in fact it’s a straight course for trouble.
With employees coming and going by the day, it’s high time you recognise the warning signs of retrenchment and restructuring. Prudence dictates that you change with the times as employers are becoming intolerant and consider everyone largely expendable. It is essential to make your own judgements and function with a degree of self-interest. To succeed on the job, your interests must definitely parallel those of the company, but they must also parallel your own vision of the future!
No place for tunnel vision
Then again, a single-minded and narrow focus only on your work to the exclusion of all else spells sure-shot failure in spite of exceptional performance. Even an insidious workaholism no longer pays, it actually colours your perception and can prove hugely detrimental.
So, instead of keeping your nose stuck to the grindstone and becoming firmly entrenched in a set way of thinking, open your mind to a high-level view and peripheral vision. Reading on diverse topics will broaden your perspective, help you appreciate new ideas and nurture an inquiring mentality. With inspired and reflective thinking, you will not stagnate anymore, but can see changes occurring and stay abreast of them.
Then again, a single-minded and narrow focus only on your work to the exclusion of all else spells sure-shot failure in spite of exceptional performance. Even an insidious workaholism no longer pays, it actually colours your perception and can prove hugely detrimental.
So, instead of keeping your nose stuck to the grindstone and becoming firmly entrenched in a set way of thinking, open your mind to a high-level view and peripheral vision. Reading on diverse topics will broaden your perspective, help you appreciate new ideas and nurture an inquiring mentality. With inspired and reflective thinking, you will not stagnate anymore, but can see changes occurring and stay abreast of them.
Keep emotions out
Unparalleled competition is seeping into the workplace that demands us to maintain the right perspective. In difficult situations, do not take things personally, but react with your mind so as to smoothly navigate knotty terrains and reach a beneficial conclusion.
Unparalleled competition is seeping into the workplace that demands us to maintain the right perspective. In difficult situations, do not take things personally, but react with your mind so as to smoothly navigate knotty terrains and reach a beneficial conclusion.
Shine your own light
It is naïve to expect your work to speak for itself. You have to play your position well and blow your own trumpet to increase your workplace value. Concentrate on building a solid bank of accomplishments, competencies and successes, and subtly bring them to the attention of those who matter. Constantly crediting yourself with what you have done and the positive feedback you have received will restore the bright lights on your career.
It is naïve to expect your work to speak for itself. You have to play your position well and blow your own trumpet to increase your workplace value. Concentrate on building a solid bank of accomplishments, competencies and successes, and subtly bring them to the attention of those who matter. Constantly crediting yourself with what you have done and the positive feedback you have received will restore the bright lights on your career.
Build bridges
Success also hinges greatly on building a strong network of mutually beneficial relationships. Concentrate on getting people on your side – everyone from colleagues, employees and customers to superiors and mentors.
As authors, Mel Sandler Muriel Gray advice in their path-breaking book Winning at Work: Breaking Free of Personal Traps to Find Success in the New Workplace, “Move your goals forward in a way that is not seen as self-serving. Rather it’s done through a combination of direct communication, influence and asking other people to be your advocate or champion. This means that people interested in career advancement have to get out of their offices and spend valuable time getting to know people inside and outside of their company.”
Apart from this, you will advance more quickly when you play your cards close to your chest, maintain a balanced lifestyle and see change as a glorious opportunity to get out of the rut.
Above all, break free of the denial, you have no choice but to adapt to the new realities of the contemporary workplace!
Success also hinges greatly on building a strong network of mutually beneficial relationships. Concentrate on getting people on your side – everyone from colleagues, employees and customers to superiors and mentors.
As authors, Mel Sandler Muriel Gray advice in their path-breaking book Winning at Work: Breaking Free of Personal Traps to Find Success in the New Workplace, “Move your goals forward in a way that is not seen as self-serving. Rather it’s done through a combination of direct communication, influence and asking other people to be your advocate or champion. This means that people interested in career advancement have to get out of their offices and spend valuable time getting to know people inside and outside of their company.”
Apart from this, you will advance more quickly when you play your cards close to your chest, maintain a balanced lifestyle and see change as a glorious opportunity to get out of the rut.
Above all, break free of the denial, you have no choice but to adapt to the new realities of the contemporary workplace!
PAYAL CHANANIA
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