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I started as an analyst in supply chain 24 years ago with a goal of one day becoming a leader, maybe even a manager. Little did I know that with the influence and guidance ofmany mentors and great leaders, I would become an officer of a company.
Over the years, I have received great tips from my mentors and leaders, all of which enabled me to be more aware of my strengths, my areas for improvement, and most importantly, what I was and could become. The following tips are the ones that stand out most to me and were most beneficial in every step of my career. I hope these are a help to you as you grow in your career and exceed your personal vision and goals.
10. Work smarter, not harder.
What is the most efficient way to achieve your work and a quality result?
Are you providing what was asked or more detail than was needed?
Understand your primary goal and then focus on what is needed to achieve the goal – no more, no less.
Work Smarter, Not Harder: 10 Ways to Be More Effective at Work | Inc.com
9. If you do not like your situation, CHANGE IT, don’t complain!
It is so easy to complain and yet so difficult to change!
If you are unhappy, your performance will reflect it. In addition, you, your team, and your company will be negatively impacted.
Albert Schweitzer said: “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”
Why You Need To Love Your Job (forbes.com)
8. Give credit where credit is due, recognize your team’s accomplishments (and yours too)
Always say “Thank You”. These are two words that are very powerful. When they are said, they recognize the person who put forth an effort to do something for you. When you don’t put forth an effort to say or write them, you unintentionally de-value the person’s efforts.
Most people find it difficult to recognize their own personal accomplishments. Don’t short-change yourself. If you don’t recognize your achievements, others won’t either. However, don’t forget to equally recognize those that supported your journey to achieve them.
https://hbr.org/2014/03/the-importance-of-giving-credit
7. Self-Reflect periodically
Document your personal goals and your progress to those goals.
Do a self-assessment once a month or quarter. Treat your goals just like a project; they are equally important. However, if you don’t track your progress to goals, your goal is just a thought and won’t become a reality.
https://hbr.org/2017/03/why-you-should-make-time-for-self-reflection-even-if-you-hate-doing-it
6. Delegate to your team
If you do everything yourself, you are not leading.
Delegation shows your team you value them and their skillsets.
Delegation doesn’t always mean delegating to employees; it could also include automating a manual process or outsourcing a service.
“…A leader is someone who can see how things can be improved and who rallies people to move toward that better vision. Leaders can work toward making their vision a reality while putting people first…”
What is leadership, and who is a leader? (chieflearningofficer.com)
5. Run to criticism
Welcome constructive criticism and feedback. It helps you grow and continually improve.
Competitors are your strongest critics. Have you ever thought of using their criticism as ideas to improve your business and/or self-development?
If everyone says you are awesome and do everything right all the time, clearly, they are not telling you the truth!
https://addicted2success.com/success-advice/5-reasons-why-criticism-is-the-key-to-your-success/
4. Never stop learning
Never be satisfied with the status quo. When you get to a point in your career that you become complacent or “think you know it all”, it’s time to challenge yourself.
Periodically research other industries and/or best practices within your industry to learn about the latest tools and resources that could benefit you and/or your company.
https://www.inc.com/aj-agrawal/4-reasons-why-we-should-never-stop-learning.html
3. Remove limits that you create
You create more limits on yourself than others do
If there is a limit preventing you from moving to the next level and/or opportunity, take action to remove the limit:
What can I do to remove the limit?
Who can I ask to help remove the limit?
2. Believe in yourself and you can accomplish anything
Some people advance to the next level after they have performed the work of that level “unofficially” for some period prior.
Others advance to the next level before they have performed the work, believing without a doubt that they deserve the position.
You can be confident and not be arrogant. Have confidence in yourself. Never forget…perception is reality!
https://www.inc.com/jeff-haden/9-signs-you-are-genuinely-confident-without-seemin.html
1. Most importantly……Balance work, family, and friends
Success is important, however, everyone’s definition of success is different.
What do you want others to remember you by? They will not remember the cool powerpoint you created or tool that you created. They will remember how you made them feel.
Don’t forget to balance work against time with family and friends. There is always work to be done, however, there will not always time to spend with family and friends. Choose wisely.
Can We Really Balance Family, Work And Me Time? (forbes.com)
37 Tips for a Better Work-Life Balance | The Muse
As a member benefit, PWH offers a mentor program where you are matched with other individuals within our industry and open to both mentor’s and mentee’s. Click here to learn more about our mentoring program.
Submitted by:
Angie Haggard
Ron Denton & Associates, LLC
PWH Mentoring Committee
