Not feeling valued at work? Try this…
If you’re not getting the results you want at work, it’s on to you fix it.
Want your contributions to be seen by the decision-makers in your organization? Make yourself indispensable. Getting noticed is an organic byproduct of that pursuit.
When you consistently and genuinely serve your squad and clients more than selling or serving yourself, people will be taken aback. You’ll be leading by example. You’ll start setting a tone and culture. This starts to become your personal brand. Suddenly, management wants to see you in their office to share recent customer and staff compliments. Suddenly, you’re promoted. Suddenly, you get a pay increase. Because you’re being noticed and valued.
To become indispensable, you’ve gotta go beyond what’s already expected of you. Saving your higher-up(s) time and/or money will get you noticed as well. Not just once or twice. Consistently. Consider what you can do to improve your workplace while still being a team player.
For example, if you’re asked to do A, B, C on a recurring basis, do those things but also get ahead by working on D, E, and F before they’re requested. Then submit those efforts to the applicable person. This showcases that you’re proactive and have foresight. It also saves your manager the time of not having to ask things of you. Or if you have an issue with someone or something, propose a solution to the appropriate person, instead of just the problem. This showcases an ability to handle things pragmatically, which saves your manager the energy of having to think through it.
While your intent is to be more recognized and appreciated at work, you’ve gotta divorce yourself from expecting any specific outcomes by any specific dates. Can’t go into this demanding reciprocity, which will eventually show itself, possibly yielding you the exact opposite attention you were you’re looking for.
Instead, lead with curiosity. Get passionate about people and what makes them tick. Listen and interpret better by being fully present with what they’re saying, in their eyes, and their body language. Be able to read the room and know if that’s where you really belong. Square pegs don’t quite fit in round holes.
If you’ve tried these things for a while and still nothing at your job’s changing, it might not be wise for you to remain there. If a company isn’t acknowledging the obvious talent you possess nor the measurable ways you’re saving them time and money, they don’t deserve you. Because the right gig would totally value all of that and see you as the asset you are.
