Top 10 Things the Best Employees Do [ Et mon cul, c'est du poulet ? ]
Le genre de mail que je reçois dans ma mailbox au boulot et qui me fait vachement rigoler…
Corporate Flag ?
10. Be reliable
- Meet deadlines you commit to
- Return phone calls and e-mails – not every one, but the ones that actually require a response
- Proofread your work if you’re going to share it with others
9. Don’t say something in e-mail or on IM that you wouldn’t want others to see
- They’re the most common outward expression of your professionalism
- They’re accessible through legal discovery or compliance audits
- They can be passed on through forwarding or accidental distribution
8. Be interested in what’s going on in the company
- If the CEO sends an e-mail to all employees, read it
- When the company reports quarterly and annual results, read them
- Learn about the company’s products and customers
7. Learn
- 70% – on the job (make explicit what would otherwise be implicit)
- 20% – learn from others (bosses; colleagues; etc.)
- 10% – formal learning (classroom; online; reading)
6. Be an advocate for yourself
- For your ideas and input
- For your performance – set objectives; ask for feedback; schedule 1:1’s
- For your career – your personal development; career direction; possible moves
5. Give upward feedback
- Take initiative – offer to help; volunteer for new things
- Offer suggestions for how to improve things – meetings; processes; etc.
- Give your boss constructive criticism – at the right time and in the right way
4. Keep your work and your life in balance
- Learn how much is enough – some things require 110%, but most don’t; focus on outcomes, not hours
- Having outside interests tends to make you more engaged at work
- Make sleep and exercise a priority
3. Assume best intent
- Most people mean well and are trying to do the right thing – start with that assumption firmly in mind
- Most workplaces are a lot less “political” than popular culture suggests
- Master “small ‘p’ politics” – stakeholder management; influencing; inclusion
2. Make friends
- Get to know the people you work with as people – their “back story”; their interests outside work; their families
- Socialize when you get the chance
- Have fun – a sense of humor is always a good thing
1. Be a positive force in the workplace
- If you hear someone say something positive about someone else, pass it on
- Look for ways to say thank you – e.g., Friday afternoon notes
- Be generous – find ways to help others; share the credit
- Integrity – do the right thing . . . especially when no one’s watching
