How Do I Get Recognized At Work?

Young women always ask me how do they get noticed at work.  Given that they are new to the work force it is hard to differentiate themselves from their more experienced peers.  This is an easy one, take on a project that no one else wants to do and do it exceptionally well.  You will not have any competition to be compared against and your boss will be grateful that he/she did not have to do the task.  It is probably something that is boring and tedious but don't despair it will give a solid boost to your career and how you are viewed within the organization.

Sometimes You Are Captain of Your Ship

A previous manager once told me that sometimes you are captain of your ship and sometimes you just get in the boat and row. He was a jerk but still his comment has merit.  The question now becomes who should take responsibility for the outcome.  If I am rowing then I cannot take responsibility for the course or its destination.  If I am the captain I take responsibility for the course and the destination and its subsequent consequences.  If you disagree with your manager on a decision just make sure that he/she takes responsibility for the outcome. Here is an example of how to state your opinion.

"I disagree with your decision however I am fully committed to its implementation. By taking your direction and fulfilling its requirements I then assume that you not I are responsible for its outcome.  To assure you that I am committed to this undertaking I will prepare a summary of the steps needed to complete the task. I would ask that you review the summary to guarantee that their are no miscommunications."

Criticism vs. Expectations

Everyone makes mistakes. The question is what does a manager do to help an employee to understand their error without making them defensive and unreceptive to future guidance.  Dale Carnegie writes in "How to Win Friends and Influence People" that a manager should never criticize.  I  agree wholeheartedly.  As an alternative to criticism use this example to talk with your employees.

MGR: Joan thank you for the customer service report.  It includes many of the key points we discussed. Another key measure is our abandonment rate as it let's us know how many of our customers are frustrated with our service.  It is my expectation that this measurement be included in all future reports and if you have time I would like to have it incorporated in this one as well.

I've always used this model to critique work.  I think of it as: 1. what you've done well, 2. what can be done better and 3. a chance to make amends.