I've worked in the HR world for the last 17 years and part of a growing business, working with a management team. I've seen hundreds of people come and go and in recent years I've seen a high increase in a certain "characteristic" demonstrated in people whether intentional or not varies.
The "lack" of urgency, drive, motivation is certainly something you do not want to demonstrate when wanting to please your boss or grow in the company you are working for. It's like the Eeyore syndrome in some. Lack of energy, spirit, drive, solemn, or even gloomy. UGH, just hearing the feeling of these expressions is draining and I just don't want to be around people like that. Very slow paced, slow to respond. A clear description of what not to be at work.
Hey we all have our moments/days that we aren't on our game, but the regularity of this perception your co-workers or boss can have on you can be damaging to your growth. You may feel one way inside is one thing but how you are perceived is another.
The company I've worked with is a very high paced environment, if you can't keep up, you will get left behind. The demand for speed and accuracy is at an all time high. And I'm sure being in California, a very high-paced state/way of life is part of it as well.
I can honestly tell you when some of us here work with others across the nation with those in the East/South or even Hawaii, we can see we work at a much higher pace. (not everyone, but most, in my experience). So that can be frustrating.
I've noticed a trend of people wanting to be in higher positions but have a strong lacking in these character traits. So how does one work on these traits for the better? One of them is working on your personal development. Take training courses, read books in leadership, business management.
Set goals for yourself. What do you want to do? How do you want to grow in the company and what are the things that will get you there? What will drive you to get there? Does your work ethic fall in line with those goals? Do others take notice? Are you a self starter or do you need to be constantly told what to do? If you do, get the training you need so you can. Take it upon yourself to succeed. You can't expect to grow within a company if you don't take the initiative.
I've hired several people myself over the years. I'm looking for those who do take initiative, they don't need to be baby sat. They are self starters, problem solvers, stay out of office politics and put their head down and get to work. Someone who comes up with ideas to make us better and put those practices into place. Someone who has a sense of urgency to get things done and done right. Some one with high energy and drive, self motivated and happy. The people who demonstrate these traits get noticed and rewarded and will succeed. I've noticed these types of people are hard to come by now days.
Honesty and Integrity are also hard to find these days. Did you know most resumes are exaggerated and even false? It's hard to know what you are getting until you have someone for a certain amount of time working for you. There is a lot invested in a new employee all to find out they don’t cut it.
People also strive to arrive at a "management" position. They think that it will be easier when they do and they can do what they want. What they don't know is the managers are usually the hardest working and work the longest hours. There is a lot the behind the scenes in most companies that a team may not realize their managers are doing and sacrificing for the benefit of the company. "Successful people do hard things".
Which brings me to another characteristic your boss maybe looking for and that is if you actually care about the company. There are people who are there just for pay check. Strait up 9-5 the moment their time is up they are out of the chair and out the door, even if it leaves team members hanging. Depending on the company you work for, that maybe something that demonstrates your lack of "caring". Now coming from one who is a self proclaimed work-aholic. You do have to have a balance between work and home and not let your work run your life. But there are sacrifices to be made to grow to the top. Are you willing to make them?
So just some things to think about. Before you leave for the day, check in with your boss/co-workers and make sure there isn't anything that needs to be done before you go. Maybe start that process in the last bit of your day so if you can fit in more work and help your team out. Think about how you present yourself in your conduct and if you could do better. Do you show you have a drive? Are you working hard to get things done timely and efficiently? Are you demonstrating great service to Customers and those you work with? Do you smile? Do you go above and beyond your "job description". Do you stay away from the chit-chat? Are you in a work place that you even want to grow in? If not, maybe you need to make a change. Not many get to do what their passionate about, but is there something within you that can get you passionate and give you that drive you need to grow? Can you get to a place that you grow enough to get you the experience you need to get a better job later? What will get that fired stared with in you and get you motivated?
Just some things to think about. I'll have to share some of my favorite personal development books at some point, but one of them is by far "The Slight Edge" by Jeff Olsen. It is a cumulative of many development books that you can really put to work right away and get a lot out of and maybe the spark you need to make some changes.
Bonus thought for the day: One of the biggest complaints I hear is when people say or think when asked to do something and that is: "That’s not my job" or "that’s not in my job description". This is a huge mistake. Most job descriptions will say "included but not limited to". In any case. It goes without saying that your manager will expect without saying that you will exceed the expectations listed on a job description. Team members will expect that you won’t mind helping in other tasks/areas. So do so with a smile. And it’s even better when no one has to ask and you take the initiative to be the one to do whatever needs to be done, when it’s needed to be done. Be the one to ask if you can help with anything else. Be the one that thinks outside the box and comes up with ways to be better. I don’t know why but I’m always surprised that people don’t automatically think this way.
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