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Working productively: Make yourself a valuable employee

In today's workplace, hard work and effort are no longer enough to ensure success or even guarantee continued employment. Advances in technology, innovations from competitors and changing customer needs have pushed organizations to become adept at changing focus and direction. And, that often means changing requirements for employees. Success at work is not just about working harder -- it's about working differently.

How do you become the employee that your organization fights to keep? The following tips can make you more valuable to your organization.

Treat your manager and coworkers as your customers
You know what good customer service is from your own experience. It's cheerful, flexible, prompt and reliable. Work at delivering good customer service every day to your manager and coworkers. Give them reasons to want to work with you and not someone else.

Maintain a positive attitude
Everyone has good and bad days, but the people we appreciate for their consistency and enthusiasm don't let their bad days ruin someone else's day. They choose their attitude. And they choose to make it positive. You can, too, by:

• Keeping a file of accomplishments you're proud of. Look at it when you start to feel down.
• Reminding yourself that problems at work aren't all about you. Look at them as opportunities to fix something, not as criticisms of you.
• Spending time with people who have positive attitudes to observe how they deal with challenges.
• Making an effort to be pleasant and easy to work with, even when you're not feeling that way inside.
• Avoiding the "blame game." Instead of finding someone to blame when there's a problem, focus on ways to fix it.
• Being honest with yourself about what's causing a negative attitude. Watch for symptoms of stress and think about what is causing it. Get help when you need it.

Focus on productivity
Work at becoming as good as you can be at the most important functions of your job. Produce results that are highly valued. Look for opportunities to do work more efficiently, to improve quality and customer satisfaction, and to save the organization money. Make a point of offering new ideas that could enhance the business. Strive to get more work done by being efficient, overcoming procrastination and reducing interruptions.

Be an agent of change, not an obstacle to it
Employees who embrace change and help make changes happen are appreciated and valued by their managers. They also have a head start in learning new work processes and determining how their skills and talents fit into the evolving organization. Be an employee who suggests changes to improve efficiency or quality and who helps to figure out how to make those changes happen. Notice problems at work, but instead of complaining, take steps to correct them.

Build connections
Become a person who people want to work with. Help out when your help is needed, teach valuable skills and share work-critical information. Let people know about interesting articles or studies that you find. Network to make connections with people who can give you new and different work and teach you valued skills. Volunteer for committees or special events as a way to work with new people. Attend industry functions and trade association meetings. Meet experts in your field and ask them for feedback on your work or ideas about problems your organization is facing.

Communicate clearly and directly
Being a clear, direct and thoughtful communicator can help you stand out as a valued employee. Share information that others need to know, and share it in the most efficient way possible. Use email to share news and updates when discussion isn't needed. Call or talk in person if an issue needs discussion. Be prepared when you go to meetings so you don't waste people's time. Get right to the point. Don't drag people through details they don't need to know. Always thank people for their time and their help.

Keep learning
If you're doing the same work in the same way you did it two years ago, chances are you're being left behind. Take the time to learn new skills and stay current with any areas of special expertise. Stay informed about the business you're in. Consider taking college classes or professional development seminars. Join your field's professional association and attend its chapter or national meetings. Commit to reading at least one book or professional journal in your field each quarter. As you gain new skills and knowledge, let your manager know. Find ways to use what you're learning in your work.

Make your value visible to others
Market yourself to make sure that your value is noticed. Make sure your manager knows what you do, and especially what you do well. Your performance review is an appropriate forum for listing your accomplishments and explaining the challenges you've overcome. Regular one-on-one meetings with your manager are another. Make your value more visible by volunteering for high-profile projects, where your contribution will be noticed as part of an important effort. Offer to be a coach or mentor to new employees. Ask to represent your team or department on cross-functional task forces.

This article is adapted from Ceridian's LifeWorks Online service. Contact your Ceridian representative for more information about Ceridian's health and productivity solutions.