I really enjoy reading Peter Weddle’s newsletter. He’s promoting a concept he calls The Career Activist Republic- how America’s best workers achieve lasting success. It is about self empowerment, creating a new standard of workplace excellence. It sounds just like what the doctor ordered.
Weddle asks:
So, the question we have to ask ourselves is this: Does our good job represent the absolute best job we can do?
Weddle’s challenge is a good one. Difficult, painful, but good!
When you look back, did you always do the best job possible? I am not talking about how hard you worked or the number of hours you put in. What I am asking is, did you just go through the motions or did you add value? Value can come from innovation, creativity, integrity, sincerity, passion and I suppose many other places as well.
As you embark on a new job or even in your current job, how will you bring new value to the company?
What is YOUR plan to drive success? Not just your success, but how you contribute to the success of the company!
I don’t think the answers to these questions should be easy. Nor should they be written in stone. The answers will most likely change as you become more immersed in your role and you discover new, more appropriate ways to demonstrate your value. Don’t wait for someone to lay out these goals for you. Bring your goals/plan into your manager and review them. That alone creates some value.
Will you share in the comments what you’ve done or seen others do to really add value?
Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success.
