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The basic elements of success on the job are planning, organizing, getting things done, and relationships. Building a solid track record of accomplishment in all four areas will enhance your career. Failure in any one of these areas could prevent you from getting ahead or could even get you fired.
Planning and Organizing This section concerns the kind of personal planning and organizing that applies to every job, regardless of the duties. To be a success at your job and build a solid career, you must plan and organize your life so that you get to work on time, understand what is expected of you, and perform your duties to the best of your ability.
Get to Work on Time Your employer will notice if you don't adhere to the work schedule that was set up for you. If you are chronically late, your tardiness will be noticed. Your reputation will be damaged no matter how well you perform your job. Make it your priority to be at work on time or even a little early.
Be Ready to Perform Your Duties
You will need to do more than simply arrive at work on time. If your social life doesn't allow you to get enough sleep or if you are not feeling well, your performance will suffer. To successfully do any job, it's important to get enough sleep and to stay healthy.
Be prepared to start working immediately when you arrive on the job. Don't start the day with a coffee break or extensive socializing with your coworkers.
Understand What is Expected of You
If you have followed our advice under "Negotiating," you will already understand your duties and responsibilities. As time goes by, questions you didn't anticipate may arise about the details of your job. Any time you are in doubt about what needs to be done, ask for clarification.
Remember -- When you realize you will be late for work, let your employer know as soon as possible. Other people may have to take on your duties until you arrive. Telephone to say you will be late, give a reason why, and tell your boss what time you expect to arrive. You should also call to let your employer know when you are sick and unable to work. He may need to find someone to cover for you. When you are unable to come to work or are going to be late, be courteous. Let your boss know what is going on as soon as you can.
Pitfall -- Don't underestimate the physical stamina needed to do your job correctly. Many jobs in the horse industry require more than the average amount of physical strength and stamina. Having the best skills in the world won't do you any good if you can't meet the physical demands of the work. To do well at your job, it may be just as important for you to be in top physical condition as it is for you to have a certain set of skills. Don't overlook the need for things like regular strength training and aerobic exercise.
Getting Things Done To build a successful career, you must do your work to the best of your ability. Consistently good performance will lead to advances in responsibility. Plus, an outstanding work record will enable you to get good references from your employers. Establish a track record of good performance, and look for ways to improve your productivity.
Establish a Track Record of Good Performance In the early stages of your job, your employer will be watching you to see if hiring you was a good decision. Your first goal should be to demonstrate to your employer that you can do your work efficiently with a minimum of supervision. Because you have a clear understanding of what's expected, you can check yourself throughout the day to be sure you're doing what needs to be done. Don't wait for a supervisor to tell you to do your regular work. Be punctual, competent, reliable, and trustworthy. When possible, stick to the basic tasks you know how to do extremely well. Don't try to impress your employer with any skill you haven't perfected.
Once you have established a track record of good performance and you become so efficient that you have extra time on your hands, ask if there are additional things you can help with. This is the time to work on improving your less established skills. As your skills and efficiency improve, your employer will gain confidence in you, and you will be in a better position to advance in responsibility.
Improve Your Productivity
Your "productivity" is your level of efficiency on the job. Improving your productivity means finding ways to do more work in less time. This does not necessarily mean that you need to work harder or faster. It may mean looking for ways to do your work more efficiently. For instance, digging a hole by hand may be less efficient than digging it with a machine. Getting help to move a heavy box may be more efficient than moving it by yourself.
When you first take a job, you will go through a start-up or training period. During this period, your level of productivity will be lower because you will be orienting yourself to a new work environment and to the specifics of your job. After a time, you will become more efficient at your tasks without even thinking about it. Don't stop there. Look for ways to get your work done even more efficiently.
Relationships Relationships with employers and coworkers are the foundation of a good career. Good relationships will come to your rescue when you encounter misunderstandings, forget to do something, or need special consideration. Poor relationships will make your life on the job more difficult and could result in people circulating misinformation about you.
Good relationships don't happen automatically. They are the product of mutual respect and teamwork. Take the time to build your relationships; be kind, courteous, punctual, and dependable. Good relationships may be the most important factor in creating an enjoyable work environment and impressing your employer and coworkers.
Your Relationship with Your Employer The employer/employee relationship is different from any other type of relationship. It lies somewhere between relating to each other as family members and as disinterested observers. Some employers have not taken the time to understand the difference and may relate to you in inappropriate ways. This means it is critically important for you to understand the dynamics and limits of good employer/employee relationships. When you do, you will be ready to handle all types of employers: those who are good at establishing relationships with employees and those who are not.
As an employee, you have obligations and loyalties to your employer, but you are also an adult with a life of your own. Your basic responsibility on the job is to show up, listen attentively to your employer's instructions, and do your work. Your employer's basic responsibility is to understand that you have your own life and to allow you to live it, especially when you are not on the job.
The basics of all good relationships apply to your relationship with your employer. Be polite, listen carefully, and affirm their value as a person. Demonstrate that you have understood the employer's needs, be open to doing things in new ways, and present creative solutions to anything that bothers you. Be ready to express your feelings in positive ways. Apologize for your mistakes. Try seeing things from the other person's point of view. Don't deceive or manipulate. Remember: everybody has good and bad days, and nobody is perfect.
A few guidelines apply specifically to employer/employee relationships. For example, don't expect your employer to solve your personal problems for you, especially problems you are having with your coworkers. However, if something needs to be discussed, ask your employer for a convenient time to talk. Don't expect your employer to provide for all your emotional needs, such as continually affirming your abilities or pandering to your insecurities.
Remember where the "buck" stops. Your employer is the one taking the risks and paying the bills. Your employer's decision on matters affecting the business must be final.
Your Relationship with Coworkers
Your coworkers will have various personalities, hopes, dreams, fears, and goals. With each person, you will need to build a relationship that takes differences into account. Some coworkers may feel they are in competition with you, whereas others may have a more collaborative attitude. The basics for all good relationships also apply to relationships with your coworkers.
A few guidelines apply specifically to coworker relationships. For example, don't let any close personal relationships develop that might prevent you from doing your job. Be sensitive to the limits of good behavior in the workplace. Avoid sexual harassment. If a coworker is doing things that could hurt the business or damage your reputation, consider discussing the situation directly with the coworker before you report it to your employer. Take your concerns to your employer only if they cannot be worked out directly with your coworker.
Problems that don't involve your negotiated agreement for employment, such as business policies, customer relations, and long-range planning, should be discussed in a cooperative manner. Don't present them as grievances. Discuss them in a staff meeting or when your employer asks for input. No matter what the problem, ganging up on your employer probably won' t help.
More In-Depth Help
A complete course in on-the-job ethics and behavior is beyond the scope of The Career Game. However, a solid career depends on good job performance and solid relationships with both employers and coworkers. If this section prompts you to take a more in-depth look at these issues, consider reading Resolving Conflicts at Work by Kenneth Cloke and Joan Goldsmith.
Resolving Conflicts at Work
(If this book changes its title or becomes unavailable, you may be linked to a book with a different title.)
To proceed to "Climbing the Ladder," Click Here.
