Eight Ways to Boost Your Performance at Work

Being somewhere in the middle of the professional hierarchy can be a confusing place. Neither are you hand-held through tasks as you were years ago, nor do you have the ultimate decision-making authority like your seniors do. It can often feel like a race where you do not know which direction to run. So, here are eight aspects to absorb and imbibe from your leaders as you climb the ladder.

Alliance and Collaboration

Pay keen attention to fostering relationships, and you will gradually build the ability to network with people. Some people possess this skill inherently, while others need to hone it. Do not be disheartened if it doesn’t come naturally. Always remember that once you have nurtured the habit of networking, you will have a host of collaborators to influence your path forward and aid you in making important decisions. Ensure that you do not fall into a pattern of working in a silo. The best ideas come when they are bounced off others.

Influence and Negotiation

At the leadership level, the onus falls on the executive to ensure that results are produced and that the team is on track. As your career progresses, ensure that you put yourself in your leader’s shoes, observe the way they influence the team and negotiate both with people and around hurdles. Be a good listener from the start, and when you reach a leadership position you will already have the quality of listening instilled in you, making you an executive who engages with everyone.

Entrepreneurial Spirit

When you observe an entrepreneurial streak in a mentor or leader at the workplace, you’ll know that this is someone to learn from. Whether it is to constantly innovate, seek change, or question everything, an entrepreneurial spirit gives you and consequently your organisation an edge. Additionally, do not be hesitant when offering new ideas and suggestions. If you have something different to offer that your team could benefit from, then speak up.

Learning Agility

You may be at a stage in your career where you are learning something new every day. While at times it may feel like an information overload and breaks are of course imperative, do remember that the learning should never stop. When you do reach an executive position, it is not time to quit the learning game. Not only will you be able to implement all that you have learnt before, you also develop agility, and grow even further professionally.

Political Savvy

Being aware of how things work around you at the office is important. How decisions are made, how approvals are given, and what the bureaucratic processes are – all these things will help you navigate the organisation. Make sure to give back as well. Mentors and superiors might need help at times. Whether it is finding solutions to their pressing problems, or providing insightful data that can help them make decisions, it is crucial to develop mutual respect and a reciprocal support system.

Understanding Stakeholders

Every function of the organisation and every step of the hierarchical ladder, ultimately affect the stakeholders. Whether it is the investors or the customers, you have an impact on those who influence the company’s decisions. Be aware of this at all times, that your job is not just a series of tasks carried out day after day, but rather an integral part of the smooth functioning of the company and those who are invested in it.

Being Proactive

A common thread that runs through every aspect is that complacency is something to avoid. Be on the lookout for new skills, new insights and new opportunities. Offer to help out a colleague on a project that you have no experience with, ask your leaders questions, volunteer to train a new intern and hone your own mentorship skills – these are all ways to elicit and sustain passion at work.

Work-Life Integration

Finally, while your professional life is important and so are all the learnings that come with it, do not forget that you have a life outside of the workplace. Enjoy the smaller moments in life, spend time with family and friends, go out and let your hair down occasionally, and ultimately you will ensure that work never feels like a chore.

This article first appeared on Times Jobs.