The Work Message You Send!

Excellence – Doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.  -John W. Gardener

“But I didn’t recommend you!  Your own work recommended you,” I said to the lawn man, today. He stopped by to see if I needed more yard work. He was quick to thank me for recommending him to my neighbors. I wrote about him in an earlier Inspiration, Focus on Employers. At first, he was confused. How did he get work from my neighbors if I didn’t recommend him? Delight filled his face when he realized the high quality of his work brought him new opportunities.

You never know who is watching and where your actions may lead! People do notice and remember you one way or the other – for doing a good job, or not.  People remember high quality work just as easily as poor quality work.  So, there is your decision point – how to you want people to remember you?  They are paying attention. What kind of message do you send?

I think the harder you work, the more luck you have.  ~R. David Thomas

It is amazing to think that job opportunities come up simply by doing good work where you are. When employers have a need, they may not post a job opening. They may simply ask themselves who is a good candidate for the position, as they consider names that come to mind.  This is especially true with internal job openings.  It is common to have a “preferred candidate” – someone who is already the prime candidate for the job.  Employers may also consider former coworkers, who they would like to invite back to their team. 

This happened to me several years ago. I got a magical call.  I picked up the phone and, to my surprise, I was offered a job. All I had done to earn that offer was good work at my current job. I had no idea people were paying attention. When this employer had a need, my name came to mind!  It was a great opportunity and a new type of work for me.  After careful consideration, I went for it, and my life hasn’t been the same since.  It was a great direction for me – one that I would not have planned or expected for myself.

It is actually building your reputation, to do your best at the job you have. It is beyond never burning bridges.  This is about others noticing you in unique and positive ways. When you are looking for a job, what people notice and say about you is so important. It’s also something we have a lot of control over. 

I’d like you to take an inventory this week. Ask yourself: 

At work, do others look upon me in a good way? 

Are there areas of my work life I can improve?

Are there people who would give me a good recommendation if I need one? 

Are there people who would give me a GREAT recommendation?

How do I want to be known? What kind of message do I want to send to all those people paying attention to what I do and how I do it?  

You can decide how you want to be known and build that. Examples:  I am always on time. I go the extra mile. I am creative and solve problems. I rarely complain. I accept challenging assignments. I am willing to travel. I get along really well with my peers and strive to be a great teammate. I always look professional. I close a sale. I am trustworthy and ethical. I treat people with respect. My work is always superior. I listen well. I am really fast and accurate. There are hundreds of possibilities for standing out and building a reputation. Decide who you are and how you will make that shine for others to notice and talk about.

It is never too late to start sending the right message!  Add “Work with excellence today” to your daily checklist.

Have an excellent week! I welcome your comments, stories, and questions. Just click the Comments button.