3 Ways to Exceed in the Workplace

We all want to get ahead in the workplace. Many people focus on performing specific job functions to perfection. While this will help, there are other areas that will have a resounding impact. I will detail three areas that are simple ways to make work with your boss and your teams easier. 

1. Over Exceed Expectations

This expression is over used, but it does have tremendous reasoning because the results from over exceeding expectations are undeniable. If you do the bare minimum, your team will look at you as nothing more than a robot. However, if you show that you can provide additional value to the team, they will never know what you're full capabilities consist of. Because of this unknown, they will come to you with new tasks and new ideas due to the fact that they know you have the potential to pleasantly surprise them.

As a form of action, be conscientious anytime you submit a task or even send an email. In these work tasks, make an effort to do one thing different that is above and beyond. It doesn't have to be cumbersome and time consuming. Show that you are willing to do something for your team that is above the minimum amount. One small effort can go a long ways.

2. Be Relentlessly Persistent

A group of researchers wanted to find out what made certain people exceed in the workplace. Their results boiled down to the fact that the more persistent people are in presenting new ideas to their team, the more successful they were. 

You can gain an advantage by relentlessly being persistent. Don't be annoying. But don't let "no" or a lack of response get in your way. If you have a bold idea and are convinced that there is sound logic behind this idea, then do not stop pushing your team on this matter until they acknowledge you and commit to hearing your point of view.

3. Lay Out Next Steps

We have all experienced that feeling during a call where exciting ideas exchanged and we feel that we are going to create an awesome product for the customer. But as a week goes by, you realize that there is no more. That one meeting was the end of an astonishing new idea.

Why? Because no action items were identified in the call. People typically talk a big game, but few are willing to walk the walk. Therefore, you can help facilitate the fruition of profound ideas by not only taking on action items yourself, but recommending action items to your teams at the conclusion of a meeting. This is the case for EVERY meeting. Do not leave without a list of action items for your team.

Please try out each of these ideas during your work. Specifically dedicate a large amount of focus to one idea per week until these become second nature. Then, sit back and see the results. Feel free to share anything you've learned from incorporating these ideas into your daily life.