To advance your career and make your day-to-day job as fulfilling as possible, it helps to become your boss’s go-to person – the one they naturally turn to for insight, support, and the ability to take on more responsibilities quickly.
In other words, become more valuable to your employer by being indispensable. This means taking things a step beyond being known as a “good” employee and entering the realm of “great.” Essential employees are true hot commodities at their organizations. Being one of them also ensures that your managers will likely do whatever it takes to keep you happy and engaged.
Here are some ideas for how to get to that point:
Support your boss’s goals.
Remember, they should be your goals, too. Ask clarifying questions to help ensure that your goals align. Consistently strive to understand your boss’s priorities, so you can work to help realize them.
Know your boss’s communication preferences.
Everyone has a different communication style. Pay attention to the clues and learn what works best for your manager. For instance, some people prefer frequent updates, while others are fine with spreading them apart more. So, get to know your boss’s style. If you’re still not sure, ask. They’ll appreciate it.
Stay on top of things, but avoid gossip.
Keep your eyes and ears open for developments, progress, and any signs of problems that relate to you, your team, or your boss. Share this information with your manager at the earliest possible stage to avoid or help mitigate any problems. At the same time, avoid gossip and steer clear of participating in or spreading rumors. It can quickly become toxic.
Build bridges.
Building connections with colleagues and other team members will reflect well on you – and your boss. In addition, it will give your boss more confidence about granting you additional responsibilities in the future. As you develop relationships, protect, build, and promote your boss’s reputation and represent their interests. Be a leader yourself by taking ownership, including your mistakes, and by sharing credit. If you’re in a customer-facing role, establish a personal rapport with clients, as well.
To become more indispensable in your job – or to take your career to the next level via a brand new opportunity – connect with the career development experts at PrideStaff Fresno today. Our best-in-class approach has helped thousands to realize their professional goals, and we’re ready and waiting to help you do the same.