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Practical Ways To Stand Out As An Exceptional Employee

There is more to an exceptional employee than mere attention to detail and laser focus!

1. SOLVE PROBLEMS

You are happily employed at a small-scale advertising firm along with 8 employees. Your boss decided to gather all of you to discuss about the reinvention of your website. He asked your opinions about the potential problems that can occur with this shift. You raised a couple of issues including the lack of stock images. You immediately suggested to organize a cost-efficient photoshoot. Your boss was impressed!

As you can see, there is a fine line between highlighting and complaining about an issue. Pointing out the issue helps to get the attention of the people involved. However, it must not end there. You have to come up with realistic solutions to conquer the problems.

2. BE POSITIVE

In my experience, there is always that one employee who exudes a pessimistic mindset in the workplace. It can lead to lack of motivation and poor work etiquette. Negative thinking may also start to rub off on other employees and reduce the overall productivity. It is important to find ways to handle the pessimistic employees.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

It is impossible to live in a world where conflicts do not exist. Stressful days are bound to occur as you need to meet the deadlines and work on a strict budget. Despite the emergence of these days, it helps to remain positive. A resilient employee is able to stay optimistic about the future and encourage others to share the same mindset even during the most difficult circumstance.

3. TAKE INITIATIVE

On a different scenario, imagine that you are a contributing writer for a large-scale lifestyle website. The boss assigns your daily topics but, you are free to come up with your own ideas. Your interaction with the team made you realize that your boss is passionate about Golf. You decided to do your research about the distinct sport. You wrote an article about it and handed it to your boss on the next day. Furthermore, you included 3 more topics that focused on the current trends in Singapore. Your boss was shocked – in a good way!

Outstanding employees do not wait for the tasks to be assigned. If there is an urgent need, they act upon it appropriately. They are proactive in other areas including communication. Instead of responding to a selected few about a project, they keep the whole team in the loop.

4. ACCEPT CRITICISM

I witnessed a petty office brawl between two supervisors before. They came from divergent departments and each of them had a point. However, the other one was fueled with aggression and took things personally. A mediator had to break the tension between them. Obviously, you must deal with the same situation in a mature manner.

Exceptional employees are able to tolerate conflicts and take constructive criticisms. Instead of displacing the blame to other people, accept the idea that you need to make some changes.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Committing a mistake is not a mark of a poor employee – failing to adapt is.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

You Snooze, You Lose: How Missing Opportunities Can Cost You

If you are not knowledgeable about the existence of English idioms, I bet you are wondering about the meaning behind the title.

What is it with me and my adoration for idiomatic expressions? For starters, most writers dance with the words to choreograph deeper stories. My fondness for the underlying meanings attracted me to this type of phrases. Let us go back to the matter at hand.

“You snooze, you lose” pertains to the rationale that waiting too long for an opportunity can result to not gaining what you want or to the success of someone else. Someone else can beat you at opening the doors of great possibilities if you let things slide. I cannot blame you! It is usually difficult to pinpoint if a certain opportunity can bring future rewards.

Image Credits: www.pixabay.com

If you had a fortune-telling ability or a magic crystal ball then, you could envision whether your decision is a clever move or a huge mistake. That sounds undeniably useful when used with precaution. However, it is far from reality! Just take a moment to reflect upon the missed opportunities at the tech industry. I will start with a story that is close to social media addict’s heart.

Facebook giant Mark Zuckerberg once invited five people to participate in his upcoming business venture. About a decade ago, only two people showed up. These two people namely Dustin Moskovitz and Eduardo Saverin are billionaires today. I can only imagine the impact of Facebook’s success to these three close-minded people.

The next story highlights a relevant brand in today’s culture – the Apple. Steve Jobs offered his boss, the Atari Founder Nolan Bushnell, a chance to invest US$50,000 (about S$67,000) to Apple. He let the opportunity pass by. If he accepted the offer, he would have owned a third of the company. Its market value now is about US$535 billion (about S$724 billion).

Turning down an innovative idea may cost you. But, what is worse than taking a conscious effort to say “NO”? Doing nothing!

Indifference toward an opportunity has its consequences and sometimes these consequences exceed that of a bad decision. For instance, Amy hired a financial consultant to help manage her trendy restaurant. The financial consultant exhausted all his resources to search the most profitable location for a new branch. Despite the priceless efforts that the financial consultant gave, Amy opted to do nothing about it. Among her reasons for indecision was lack of time to discuss about the matter. This can potentially cost affect the entire brand.

Aside from close-mindedness and indecisiveness, there are other ways to dodge a shining opportunity. Do yourself a favor and beware of these instances:

a. by beginning with a negative mindset or a wrong goal in mind,
b. by not being persuasive enough to make a recommendation,
c. by not doing sufficient research on the company you are applying for, and
d. by ignoring your online reputation.

Image Credits: www.pixabay.com

Analyze the situation and make a calculated decision when a blossoming chance comes along. The expense of missed opportunity can be exorbitant to your job performance, work relationships, credibility, and wealth. Do not risk these things due to indecisiveness and close-mindedness.

Sources: 1, 2, 3

Time Is Money: Importance Of Punctuality In The Workplace

One cannot simply deny that time is among the most valuable commodities on Earth. The idiomatic expression of “time is money” was first recorded in 1572. Time was seen as a finite resource that shall not be wasted since then. We must complete tasks as quickly as possible because time is irreplaceable. You can always stream shows online but, you can never bring back time.

The nature of time is understood in diverse ways by different cultures. Generally speaking, the manner that the Southern Europeans perceive time opposes how Americans and Asians perceive it. Southern Europeans put more weight on multi-activity. They will feel more fulfilled if they accomplished more things simultaneously. Setting appointments is less important than living in the present moment.

On the other end of the spectrum, Americans put more weight on linear activity. In a capitalistic society, time is considered as a fast flowing and precious currency. You have to take immediate actions if you want to benefit from its passing.

For Asians, I am only focusing on the Japanese and Singaporeans. Japanese are globally renowned for their punctuality and ability to commit. They have a high degree of predictability and consistency. This is why you must not bring “surprises” (e.g., hidden costs) during a business deal.

Lastly, Singaporeans practice courtesy most of the times. One of the cultural values we possess is the potent adherence to hierarchical relationships in the society. This is partly influenced by the Confucian teaching. A good way to maintain courtesy and respect toward our superiors is by honoring their time.

Fortifying Timekeeping In The Workplace

Timekeeping is an important skill to practice in the workplace. A dimension of timekeeping is punctuality. What is special about punctuality is that it can communicate a basket of positive characteristics to your superiors, subordinates, and peers. It creates initial and long-lasting impressions.

At first glance, it manifests that you are dedicated to your position and that you controlled the responsibility handed over to you. Punctuality is crucial to efficiently finishing assignments and projects. Sticking with the deadlines assures your clients that they can depend on you to get the job done.

In the long run, punctuality acts as a sign of professionalism. In an interdependent working environment (seen in many Singaporean firms), you must do your own part so that things can run smoothly. Can you imagine how many patients will suffer if the resident Physicians were an hour late to the hospital? The nurses are not equipped to do some of their tasks.

Aside from the impressions, punctuality has team and personal effects. You can display that you are a great team-player when you arrive on time for meetings and shifts. The way that you value your time demonstrates your respect for your colleagues and clients. Let us be honest! It is usually frustrating to cover for someone’s shift with no valid reasons.

Lastly, punctuality is beneficial due to its personal effects of building discipline and self-confidence. Discipline is a result of constantly paying attention to your tasks and organizing your time based on your priorities. While self-confidence is shaped by mastery. The more promises and tasks you fulfill, the more you will believe in your own capabilities.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

May you begin to realize that timekeeping is essential in the workplace. Stand out from the crowd and assure your employer that you are worth keeping by being punctual!

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

How To Ace These Tough 10 Interview Questions

There is nothing worse than coming into a job interview and the interviewer asks you with hard questions, which you do not know the answer to. Avoid this situation by being ready with polished interview answers.

1. WHY DID YOU LEAVE YOUR PREVIOUS JOB?

No matter how tricky this question sounds, you can make your way around it. I know how tempting it is to dish about your colleagues who mistreated you. However, this is not the time for that! Talk about your past experiences and focus on your career goals.

Elaborate about the important values and skills that you learned from your past experiences. Then, highlight that you are ready to use these in the position that you aspire to land. Another alternative is to state that you left to chase a better opportunity and face new challenges.

2. WHAT ARE YOUR WEAKNESSES?

There is no perfect way to respond to this question but, you must avoid literal and generic answers. Saying that you are a workaholic or you are incapable of driving will not boost your image during an interview. Instead, identify the areas that you want to improve on and explain how keen you are to develop that skill in the new position.

3. WHAT ARE YOUR STRENGTHS?

This question allows you to shine the competition. With this question, the interviewer is looking for work-related strengths that are in lined with the vacancy. Provide realistic examples of the times you displayed these strengths and connect it with the objectives of the job.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

4. WHAT ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE WOULD YOU LIKE TO CHANGE?

Most job seekers answer this question by stating that they are 100% happy with where they are at the moment. If that statement is entirely true then, they will not seek a new job opportunity to change their careers.

Rather than coming across as cliché, pinpoint a major turning point or a missed opportunity in your life. Manifest that you are willing to move on from the situation by taking positive actions to turn things around. Provide examples to back up your claim.

5. WHY DO WANT TO WORK HERE?

This question calls for prior research and analysis regarding the targeted company. As a Registered Psychometrician, I know how important it is to find an employee that matches the objectives and goals of the company. This is why you must respond in a way that echoes the essence of the company.

Mention the aspects of the company that you admire and how your abilities make you a perfect fit.

6. HOW HAS YOUR EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND PREPARED YOU FOR THIS JOB?

There are various ways to respond to this broad question. I suggest to highlight the practical applications of the knowledge that you absorbed in school. State some examples that support the crucial competencies needed for the job.

This is an example: “During my last two years at SIM University, I had the opportunity to become a part of the program-committee and represent the whole batch of my course. I constantly practiced my communication skills given this responsibility.”

7. IS MONEY MORE IMPORTANT THAN JOB SATISFACTION?

It is alright to value money as it aids in our survival. By answering that money is more important, the interviewer may perceive you as someone who is blinded by a larger paycheck. Job satisfaction shall trump money in this situation.

Put emphasis on the pivotal role of job satisfaction to your internal motivation and to increasing your productivity at work. This will surely impress the interviewer.

8. HAVE YOU APPLIED FOR OTHER POSITIONS?

Interviewers like to ask this question to identify how interested the candidates are in the position and how determined they are on their search. Candidates who are applying for similar jobs (i.e., in the same industry or work environment) are more desirable. You may enumerate the typical characteristics that are needed for the job that you are applying for. Say something like: “I have applied for other positions that involve strong customer service orientation too.”

9. HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR FREE TIME?

This question comes up frequently because it gives a glimpse into a person’s character and work-life balance. Instead of tailoring your answers to show some extraordinary pursuits, be honest and realistic. The interviewer will appreciate the conversation more if you explain why you engage in such activities.

10. CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE WORST MANAGER YOU EVER HAD?

Ranting about your horrible ex-manager will not work to your favor. It is unattractive to talk badly about your previous managers or bosses. This is because your potential manager may anticipate that you will treat him or her in the same manner, somewhere down the line.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

A better response to this question is: “While no boss is perfect, there were some who taught me more than others. I am not complaining because I learned the types of leadership styles that I respond to the best.”

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Do You Have The 5 Traits Of A Good Boss?

If you want to succeed in running a business, you need to understand that it takes more than just telling people what to do. You must have the qualities that make you stand out from the rest.

Do not get me wrong, possessing the traits of a good boss will not make you perfect. This is because an individual must act based on these traits. You cannot preach to a crowd if you are disorganized yourself.

Fortunately, these traits can be and must be learned through repetition. Start by knowing what some of these are:

1. CONSCIENTIOUSNESS

Conscientiousness, a trait in the Five Factor Model, has long been associated with success. This is because people who are highly conscientious are dependable and organized. While, people who are low on this trait tend to be more careless, spontaneous, and laid-back.

You can easily spot this trait in the workplace. A boss with a high sense of duty comes to work on time, follows the projects’ deadlines, and avoids unnecessary absenteeism. Acting beyond what is required of you (going above and beyond) is also an indicator of your conscientiousness.

2. COMPASSION

As the noble Dalai Lama once said: “Compassion is not religious business, it is human business…”

He highlights that regardless of our status, compassion is an essential trait for human survival. It is also applicable in the workplace. A compassionate boss can create a workplace filled with people who value each other and who go thru the hurdles as a unit. After all, the Latin etymology of the word “compassion” translates to “to suffer with”. Try to practice compassion in everything that you do.

3. CREATIVITY

Some of the world’s most inspiring leaders are creative individuals. These inspiring individuals include Facebook’s founder Mark Zuckerberg and Patanjali Ayurved’s founder Baba Ramdev. In the local scene, Jeannie Chew of Soaplah comes to my mind.

The invention of the Soaplah came from Jeannie’s previous experiences with skin problems. She was troubled with eczema and other skin issues at a young age that she started making her own natural soap. In her journey to find the best solution, she handcrafted her soaps using natural ingredients such as pure essential oils with anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. Her hard-work paid off as Soaplah offers a variety of soaps that can absolutely soothe even the most sensitive of skins!

Image Credits: www.facebook.com/soaplah

If you are like Jeannie, creative thinking can spark a vision or a sudden epiphany. The road to perfection comes with mistakes. It is your job as a good leader to navigate the wrongs into rights.

4. INTEGRITY

Majority of the people agree that a good boss must uphold integrity and sincerity. Integrity entails honesty in internal and external aspects of the person. It requires you to tell the truth in every situation.

For instance, an honest boss is willing to share the good and the bad news to its employees. It is because he or she knows that they deserve to know.

5. ACCOUNTABILITY

The grave responsibility bestowed on you comes with great accountability. Accountability is not only for the achievements of the company but also for its downfalls. There are no “absolutes” in business. One can never ascertain the things that can happen in the future after making a decision.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Be fearless and accept the responsibility of your actions. If necessary, hold others accountable too.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, & 4

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