Successful business leaders are not just lucky. They work hard and develop character traits that make them dependable employees.
If you are trying to get a raise, promotion, or new job, there are adjustments you can make to your work ethics to achieve your goals. Each of these habits can be started today!
Be on Time
Punctuality is not only courteous but conveys respect. However, there are people who really struggle with it.
You must learn to be on time to be a successful business leader. This means meeting deadlines, and arriving to work and meetings on-time.
Respect Your Employer and Co-Workers
Treating employers and co-workers respectfully seems obvious. After all, you probably spend more time with your co-workers than almost anyone else in your life. Why wouldn’t you be respectful?
However, many employees develop a superiority complex that prevents them from respecting their employers and co-workers.
Lack of respect can permanently prevent your improving your job title. It is important to start acknowledging and appreciating other’s efforts. No one will trust you to take on more work without mutual respect.
Avoid Gossip
Office places always have one or two gossips. Most of the time, these employees are not the managers of the company. Do not get involved with gossip if you want to be successful. You will only get yourself stuck in a trap of “he said, she said” that could send you looking for a new job.
They Speak Up at Meetings
If you want to be successful then you must make your opinion heard. The best method to voice your knowledge is at meetings. Before every meeting, contemplate the problems, issues, and concerns that the company is facing. Develop a few productive ideas that could help the company improve.
If you create a noticeable difference in the company you could be more likely to be considered for the next promotion that becomes available.
They Don’t Over Apologize
The ability to apologize is great but can you ever apologize too much? If you are trying to be successful in business then yes!
The Submissive Guide states that, “while seemingly harmless, stating unnecessary things as apologies tends to result in two effects: you essentially undercut every legitimate moment where an apology is actually needed by constantly apologizing (making your apology less valuable) and the negative phrasing that you use either lowers others’ opinion of you (because you’re constantly associating yourself with a negative exchange of some kind), or insults them because, by apologizing for essentially existing in their presence, you’re indicating that you suspect them to be inconvenienced by everything you do (thereby undermining any positive relationship you have with that person).”
In summary, if you are constantly apologizing then you will paint yourself in a negative light, therefore lowering your co-worker’s opinion of you. Constantly apologizing could also insult your co-worker by conveying that you are constantly inconveniencing them.
Learn to not apologize unless absolutely necessary!
Don’t Say “Yes” to Everything
Saying “yes” to everything can prevent you from doing a great job at anything! You will spread yourself too thin trying to please everyone. Initially, you might think that you will impress everyone by your ability to complete a variety of tasks. However, the quality of your work will probably be inadequate, and you may be viewed as someone that can’t prioritize.
Wouldn’t it be better to produce superior outcomes, even if there are fewer?
Ask for Help
Somehow, we have developed the idea that asking for help is a bad thing. Many people think asking for help is an act of weakness. In reality, most successful leaders will tell you that you cannot do it alone. It can also show you know how to delegate.
Benefits of Asking for Help
- Creates Community
- Achieve Your Vision
- Develop the Skill of Receiving
Own Up to Your Mistakes
Even Bill Gates made a mistake at one point. If you made one… or two… or three… it’s okay! What is not okay is shrugging your shoulders and telling management that you had no idea who did it. Most likely, you will be caught for your mistake AND lying!
Steps If You Made a Mistake at Work
- Apologize (once)
- Figure Out How to Fix What Went Wrong
- Make a Plan for the Mistake Not to Occur Again
- Tell Your Boss What You Learned From the Mistake
