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TOP 10 WAYS YOU CAN BECOME INDESPENSIBLE TO YOUR BOSS
Think about how businesses market products and services, by creating
niches. . . that's how you should think about your work. While no
one is truly indispensable, if you create a niche for yourself at
your workplace - and especially with the boss - you will become as
indispensable as possible. Once you become an essential employee,
you deal from a position of strength in terms of promotions, raises,
flexible hours and other much sought-after workplace rewards. So now
the obvious question: How do you become the kind of employee that
companies can not live without• Here are 10 things you can do
right away to make you an indispensable employee in the eyes of your
supervisors:
1.) Be the best at something no one else is.
Develop your own niche at work by picking up a skill or knowledge
that is vital to your job, yet relatively hard to learn. Maybe it's
becoming familiar with catering or marketing strategy. Be the best
at something no one else is, and you will dramatically raise your
level of importance to your employer.
2.) Give everything you've got . . . and then some.
If you want to advance in your company, take on more work than you
are expected to accomplish. Volunteer to help on a project that is
running over deadline and make yourself available for extra projects.
You will be noticed. Frequently, companies need assistance with rush
jobs like proposals. On jobs like these, quick turnaround is important
and higher-ups always appreciate employees who pitch in and volunteer
to be on the team. Do the little things that make a difference. Go
the extra mile on every task you undertake and the rewards will follow.
In the first few months, it makes all the difference!
3.) Work even harder when the boss is not around.
Managers report less work is done when they are not around. That is
why working, even at your normal pace, when they are away will impress
your supervisors. The best strategy, however, is to work extra hard.
To be recognized, when supervisors are away, try to complete jobs
they assigned before they left. There is nothing a boss appreciates
more after a trip than hearing "Here's the job you wanted. It's
done."
4.) Get recognition for your staff.
Those who stand out as excellent employees are the people who are
able to motivate others to do their best and to work well in group
situations. What are you really saying when you say, "My staff
did a great job"?Your supervisor will know that when a group
does well, it's at least partly because someone exhibited leadership.
5.) Make your boss look good.
Similar to the concept of getting credit for the group of people you
work with or manage, making your boss look good can only reflect favorably
on you. Both your boss and his or her supervisors will appreciate
this. The best way to make your boss look good is to handle your work
efficiently and thoroughly. If your boss is fair, he or she will give
you credit for the work, increasing your chances of promotion. Work
with the waitstaff or you team side by side.
6.) Develop good businesslike relationships with your boss.
If you have done your job well and have proven time and again that
you are a professional upon whom your supervisor can rely, your relationship
with the supervisor, in part, becomes one of your employer's important
assets. Wherever you work, a good relationship with your supervisor
will surely vault you to the head of the class.
7.) Serve as a mentor.
You are never too young to share your experience with junior members
of your organization. This can be accomplished on an informal, ad
hoc basis, and you can literally choose the amount of energy you're
willing to commit. Helping junior members always looks good to those
above you, especially at performance time.
8.) Praise your boss if it is deserved.
Everyone likes to be praised . . . yet, how often do we praise our
bosses? They are people, too. If your boss has been extra supportive
of you, tell him or her that you appreciate it. Remember to praise
your boss to your coworkers and other supervisors. Be honest. A phony
attempt can be detected immediately. Everyone has some good points
that can be praised.
9.) Keep on top of your job.
Do not forget the basics. One way to become truly indispensable is
to be on top of your job, your job's goals, and your team's objectives.
This three-way strategy includes reviewing your job description, understanding
what goals are expected of you, and determining your employer's objective.
First, knowing your job description and following it, or amending
it if necessary, will protect you from any misunderstandings. Second,
be sure to learn and understand the goals of your part of the team.
Knowing your team's goals will help you to set priorities for your
own work and to make intelligent decisions concerning how jobs should
be done. Finally, be aware of your employer's objective. Every employer
has an objective. It might be to make sure a can-do attitude is a
priority at the worksite, or to ensure that customer service is outstanding.
10.) Become an expert.
Individuals who become indispensable in carrying out a certain aspect
of the team's function will usually be promoted, even if a new title
has to be created for the position. At your current job, are you developing
expertise on a particular skill?If so, make your supervisors aware
of your special knowledge and the extent to which people depend on
you to provide that knowledge. Or, if there is an area in which you
feel that your team is sorely lacking - why not be the one to fill
the gap and reap the rewards of becoming a team leader or captain?
Now, make it happen. Most employees work hard, do a good job and
want to get promoted but most do not understand what bosses really
want from those they would promote. You now know what it takes to
make yourself indispensable to your boss and your organization. Now
it is up to you to make it happen.
Tips on keeping your job
Here are some tips to make yourself as indispensable as possible:
• Establish credibility. Your credibility
is extremely important. Establish yourself as an honest, hardworking,
and responsible employee. Show that you can act independently yet
wisely and can work well with a team. Earn management's trust and
your job will be that much more safe.
• Be flexible. Can you adapt to new and different
situations quickly? If not, work on being more flexible. Take a course
or participate in any outside or company sponsored activity that will
add to your expertise. Also, be open to new projects and additional
responsibilities.
• Be even more productive. Get your job done
better and faster than ever before! Exceed expectations. Hard work
is fine, but only results will impress your boss. Take initiative:
establish some goals for yourself. This will help you get better results.
• Stay optimistic. Just as smiles are contagious,
so too is optimism. Nobody, especially bosses, likes a pessimist;
they detract from office morale. Remember, good morale is essential
to a successful working environment. If you positively influence those
around you, chances are you're a valuable employee.
• Become a team player. Demonstrate that you're
committed to the company, not just to your own personal goals. Remember,
if you can work well with others, your boss will recognize that you
can compromise and cooperate as part of a team. Market yourself. What
kind of image do you project? Is it one that exudes success and motivation,
or does it indicate that you're merely going through the motions until
5:00 PM rolls around? Make an effort to dress appropriately and smartly
for work. This will imprint a lasting and positive impression on your
boss.
• Speak clearly. Communication is the key
to success. Clear speech is important for successful communication;
poor speech takes away from the message being delivered.
