To shine at work

In this article, we will discuss strategies to help get the great work you do noticed. This will give you the motivation to continue pursuing your career.

WHY DO WE NEED TO STRIVE FOR ATTENTION?

You might be the hardest worker in an organization, and the person everyone wants on their team – but if you're unknown, then all the new projects, bigger responsibilities, awards, and promotions will never come your way.

That's why you need to prove your worth in the workplace.

Let's look at some strategies you can use to become less "invisible" at work.

DEVELOP PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Do you consider yourself a well-versed individual with diverse skills and experience, or an expert specializing in just one or two specific fields?

New businesses often hire highly knowledgeable individuals because they can perform a wide range of roles. However, as these businesses grow, they shift to hiring specialists to focus on core areas. This can leave hard-working, highly knowledgeable individuals feeling marginalized and deprived of opportunities within the company.

If you are a highly knowledgeable person, consider the types of skills your organization needs and strive to develop those skills to become an expert. The more knowledge and expertise you possess in a particular area, the greater your chances of attracting attention to your work.

Remember that organizations and businesses also tend to look for people with excellent “soft skills”—those non-operational skills such as creative thinking, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, communication skills, adaptability, and training ability. These are often just as important as technical expertise.

If you're thinking about becoming an expert in a particular field, don't forget to consider these important soft skills. Helping your boss resolve a major team conflict will get you just as much attention as delivering an outstanding presentation or a fantastic sales report.

BUILDING A NETWORK OF RELATIONSHIPS

How can you build a network of relationships that can help you get the attention of key people in the company?

Basically, if you help someone when they need it, they will help you in return.

And if you take the time to build and nurture relationships with those around you, you'll build a network of "allies"—people who can help you land interesting, important, or particularly attractive projects, rather than anyone else. They can also introduce you to other departments—which can open up opportunities that would never have come your way without them.

Build a network of "allies" within your department, with other departments, and with the executive team or board of directors. Strive to be assigned to teams that allow you to interact with many people. This can help you build reputation and important relationships.

In addition, network outside of work hours. Socializing with colleagues after work often makes people feel more comfortable and open to making friends.

TRACK YOUR FRIENDS' ACHIEVEMENTS

When you're working diligently, it's easy to forget everything you've accomplished in the past 6 to 12 months. This won't be helpful when evaluating your work performance.

Keep track of all the achievements you make within the organization. If a client or colleague compliments you, write it down. If someone sends you an email praising you, print it out. If you exceeded your sales target last quarter, obtain documentation to verify it.

Keep all these compliments and great achievements in a file, and bring it with you on your performance review day. This is the most solid proof to show your boss how well you're doing your job. And it will be hard for your boss to say no when you ask for a raise or promotion.

STEP OUT OF THE DARK

Sometimes, whether intentionally or unintentionally, your boss and colleagues may present your ideas as if they were their own.

However, if you want to get noticed, you have to stand up and claim that idea for yourself.

If this happens to you, first, check if it happens to anyone else. Often, a colleague or boss will "borrow" ideas from a few people. Shine at the workplaceIt's not just one person, but many. One way to detect this is simply by observing the body language of those around that person.

If a colleague or boss takes all the credit for your work, document it each time. Watermark your work whenever possible (this is a feature in some word processing software). If, during a meeting, they claim your idea as if they came up with it themselves, correct them gently but firmly.

TAKE ON MORE RESPONSIBILITIES

You can also get noticed by your boss and other managers by agreeing to take on more responsibility whenever possible.

This doesn't mean you should overwork yourself! However, if you see a new project or role that could help you develop your skills, take advantage of it. Do this, especially if it's a project/role that everyone in the organization knows about, or that has a significant impact on profitability. Shine at the workplace what you are doing.

This is especially important alongside innovation and process improvement. Building an image as an innovative or creative thinker can be very valuable. If you believe you have the ability to innovate and generate good ideas, try to get assigned to projects where these skills are valued.

Tips:

While you're doing all of the above, make sure you continue to excel at your core responsibilities. If you fail to do so, you'll still get attention – but not for good reasons!

MORE TIPS TO GET ATTENTION

Here are a few more ideas to help you get the attention of your colleagues:

Make sure people can feel your presence. – Take a few minutes each day to greet and chat with your colleagues. Just a smile from you will make them feel more comfortable and at ease. Shine in your home and workplace. Your communication skills are much better. Also, try talking to colleagues in person occasionally, instead of sending emails or text messages.

Compliment others. – If you have a colleague who works just as hard as you do, praise them in front of your boss. Be specific and sincere about what they are doing.

Stay up-to-date on the information related to your industry. – Read industry news or other relevant materials to keep yourself up-to-date with trends and technology. You never know when this information might be valuable.

Find a mentor – Your mentor can offer valuable advice and professional training. Because your mentor has experienced similar situations to yours, this is an opportunity you should seize. They can help you navigate these situations correctly.

Join the organization's charity events.Volunteering for these activities – such as running a race or coaching a group of children – can help you build a network of relationships within the organization.

KEY POINTS

People may often overlook your efforts, even if you consistently work hard. If this happens to you, do something to get noticed and maintain a positive presence in their minds at any workplace, so you can continue pursuing your career goals.

Become an expert in areas that are critical to your company. Build a network of allies—a network of relationships both inside and outside of work—track your progress, and take on additional responsibilities whenever possible.