Everyone wants, expects and needs success in their work life. Having accomplishments in our endeavours spur us to drive ourselves further. And this desire to succeed permeates everything we do, and in fact is a mainstay for all aspects of our lives.
However, we have all tasted failure. And, again in all parts of our life. So, what brings us success or leads us to failure at the workplace?
I suppose this is one of the biggest questions in our career. I don't have a definitive answer here but some tenets that I reckon are useful to remember.
MOST IMPORTANT ASSET
To start, success at the workplace is about "attitude".
Your attitude or way of thinking, without doubt, is the most important asset you have at your disposal. If you do not recognise this, you are never going to achieve much in your career.
Strive to become a constructive and optimistic member of your team. If you can do this, you will become an invaluable asset to your line leaders. Because the reality is that your work-life is going to be laden with complications, frustrations and a whole host of other complexities.
It is so easy to be dismissive about people, and think that you are better than them. But stop yourself.
Instead, remind yourself daily that you need the people around you to function and perform well, in order for you get results. The relationships you need to cultivate have to be symbiotic in nature.
The key to your success depends on your willingness to be fair and good-tempered, especially with the people who are different from you. Learn to respect others, especially those who are dissimilar to you. They, too, have a right to exist.
Next, all of us need to realise at some point in time, we will be led or work with people who don't share the same values as us. In my work as a management and training consultant, I have to ask people to give me anecdotes about their colleagues and superiors to help me coach them.
Often, their narratives will be about how difficult or ridiculous their bosses are, or how they cannot stand some co-workers. The right way to deal with people who are different from you is to be patient and continue with mindfulness.
CO-EXISTING WITH PEOPLE
My recommendation is that you always learn how to peacefully co-exist with people, especially superiors, even if you do not subscribe to their way of thinking or working.
I have had to remind the people who work for me that they cannot resolve a problematic boss, which I am at times, by just being belligerent. Rather, they have to manage their own reactions, and work at convincing me to their way of thinking. You can only creatively work around someone when you can control your own emotions.
Bosses play a vital role in shaping your path to career success.
The art of managing a difficult boss is based on your ability to keep all your interactions with them relevant, and by showcasing your value. Even if your boss does not reciprocate immediately, your role is to continue to persist while being civil and pleasant.
In my businesses, I have to do this with my clients, who are technically my bosses.
And as you develop a stronger more connected relationship with the people you report to, you will find that things become easier.
If you concentrate on gleaning knowledge from your interactions with them, you will build the necessary skills to manage any future dealings, or to collaborate better.
The next "attitude" to focus on is to cognise that we are all employed to solve some problem. If not, the company that has hired us, doesn't need us. Really, this is our job. Even if it is not categorically stated in the employment contract, believe me, this is why we have a job.
Many people surrender whenever they encounter difficulties. I often have to remind the participants in my executive leadership coaching sessions that without problems, they would be out of a job. Most people shun problems, or start looking for a new job, or become the "problem" themselves, when they are faced with complications at work.
If we condition our mind that it is actually a good thing to have problems at work, naturally, we will be better equipped to deal with them when they arise.
Do not dwell on the pain of the problems. Instead, focus on solving them.
People fall broadly into two categories; they are either problem-oriented or solution-oriented. Who would you rather work with?
Keep your attitude in check, and have a learning approach to everything. Manage your emotions with your bosses, especially if they are highly driven individuals, because these are the best types to work for. And focus on resolving problems rather than contributing to them.
Building the right attitude puts you on the road to career success.
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times
