ARE YOU A 'VALUE-ADDED' EMPLOYEE?

What is your focus when you go to work? Are you thinking "What
can I give today?" or "What can I get?" Both questions are
important, however, the former will get you further faster. It's
that simple.

Often, when I am consulting with a company or team, the hew and
cry is "The company/ management does not do enough for me/us."
This may certainly be true, however, my first question is the
opposite, 'What are you doing for the company/management?'.
That's the way the equation works best. You give and then you
get. Strangely, that's the way it works best in any
relationship. Have you noticed that?

What you pay attention to expands. If you are focused on what
you think you are not getting, that overshadows everything.
Attitudes shift and conversations turn into whining sessions.
Soon, morale dips and everyone is complaining. Often, the
complaints have grown completely out of proportion and no one
remembers why they were attracted to the company in the first
place.

You can change this. Be a 'value-added' employee. Build your
strengths rather than focusing on company weaknesses. What a
concept! You choose your focus and attitude. You choose how you
use your time. You choose your perceptions and perspectives. Use
that power to become 'value-added'!

Now, I'm not talking about giving 'til it hurts. No, I'm
talking about the way you use your energy to focus on your
career path. Sure, there are employers who devour employees and
spit them out spent, burned out and disillusioned. They exist.
If you're working for one of those...and examine it carefully to
be sure...move on.

I am talking about your choices to create the career you want.
How do you want to be seen in the workplace? How does your
current position further your progress towards your goals? Why
did you choose it? What is your plan and how can you best follow
that blueprint in your present position? Be pro-active in your
own life.

How do you want to be seen in the workplace? As competent,
confident and valuable, or, as adequate, mediocre and
expendable? Unless you are working for Attila, the Hun, the way
folks see you is mostly in your control. Good employees come to
work on time, do their tasks well, and cause few waves. Great
employees do all that and more. They are focused on the
company's mission and vision. They can be excellent team-players
and excellent leaders when needed. They are clear about their
own purposes and visions and know why they have chosen to work
where they work. They care about others and help them to achieve
their goals. They do these things because it clearly moves them
further along their career paths. It is in their own best
interest to do so. They have their 'eyes on the prize'.

Here's a few secrets. Many folks would rather complain about
things than fix them. By being a 'fixer', you are being
'value-added'. Many folks would rather find fault than good. By
catching people doing things well and commenting on it, you are
being 'value-added'. Many folks would rather see what they can
get away with than see what they can give. By giving just a
little more than expected, you honor yourself and you are being
'value-added'. Many folks would rather feel 'done wrong' than
state their needs and boundaries. By being clearly communicating
what you need and want, you are saving time and energy...and
being 'value-added'.

Which side of these equations are you working from? Only one
will get you where you want to go...although you'll have much
more company on the other. Your choice!