Do you want to be admired and respected by your colleagues, recognized by senior leadership for who and what you are? Do you want to be known throughout your universe as one who sets the standard?
Then solve a problem. Stand up and show someone how to get things done. Clear the pathway; support someone's idea, save a step somewhere. Do what it takes.
Just do it.
It's not hard, really. It's a matter of thinking not of yourself first and foremost, but of a greater good that is broader than you - and of focusing your attention on getting the results that help the department, the team, the business. It's called a giving of yourself.
All too often what we see from many employees at all levels of the organization is an effort to be the star, the success story, but at the expense of someone else. "Look at me," these eager A-types seem to shout, "look at what I have accomplished." These are folks who seem to have missed reading the memo on team effort.
We all have them in our organization. They surround us.
Here's a thought, though. Isn't it better to be lifted up (reward, recognition, etc.) by someone else, then to be constantly trying to push yourself up there? Doesn't that ego rush get a bit tiring, what with the constant pressure of looking over your shoulder to gauge the competition? Do you get periodic stress headaches, where the muscles at the back of your neck tighten to stone? Are you sleeping well?
Now picture yourself receiving that award, with the accompanying recognition, spotlight, accolades, etc. Nice feeling, isn't it? A proud moment.
I think it does make a difference in how one gets recognized. I suppose that there are levels of self-satisfaction, but the highest must be when you're lifted on someone's shoulder. When you hear the cheer of the audience. Self-advertisement, political deal-making and a passive resistance that holds others back can't provide the same level of genuine personal satisfaction. Because deep down you'll know you cheated to get there.
Think about someone whom you really admire, in whatever field of endeavor you like. Chances are it's someone who has accomplished something, delivered the desired results, made something of themselves. They stood up for something, right? Likely that person you admire so much isn't someone who took shortcuts, pushed others aside, ignored the call for help or otherwise kept their focus solely on the mirror.
So why would you want to do that yourself?
Of course you wouldn't. But now reflect a bit on how you practice your relationships at work. Do you admire yourself, or can you spruce up your act a bit and become more of a team player?
Naive? Perhaps I am. But I think we need more heroes out there, more decision-makers, more team players and more people willing to take a stand for what they believe in.
But that's just me.
Chuck Csizmar CCP is founder and Principal of CMC Compensation Group, providing global compensation consulting services to a wide variety of industries and non-profit organizations. He is also associated with several HR Consulting firms as a contributing consultant. With over 30 years Rewards experience Chuck is a broad based subject matter expert with a specialty in international and expatriate compensation. He lives in Central Florida (near The Mouse) and enjoys growing fruit and managing (?) a brood of cats.
Image: Creative Commons photo by dbking
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