Promotable and Fireproof
Your source for quick, actionable advice on maximizing your potential in the age of
fast change, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and uncertainty.
Read time: 3 min.
|
|
|
|
Steve Degnan here, Advisor Board Member
and former Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO).
Relationships, Reputation and Results
are what I see as the driving forces in becoming
Promotable and Fireproof.
Let’s dig in to some quick take advice to make this real.
I’m glad you’re here. Let’s go!
Learn more on SteveDegnan.com |
|
|
|
Relationships: Purpose and Confidence - you need both! |
|
“Lieutenant Degnan!!! You look like you don’t even know what the $&@# you’re doing!!!"
That was Colonel Carter, my Battalion Commander, who saw me lingering in a hallway at HQ, circa 1988, waiting to turn in reports. He was at the other end, yelled that at a high volume, and laughter was heard coming from the dozens of office doors that were open down the long hallway, as he casually walked back into his office.
Funny? Yes. For everyone but me! Lesson: Look like you have a purpose, regardless of circumstance. Project confidence. You’ll attract interest from other people who are looking for confident colleagues and direct reports. PS – I fixed that problem. No need for further counseling. |
|
|
Reputation: Fix Yourself! |
|
After 36 years in both business and some military time, I saw plenty of social faux pas. Food on teeth, bad breath, boogers on upper lips, filthy glasses, lousy posture, flatulence, unclean clothing, trousers unzipped, and on and on.
Make a habit of routinely checking your appearance. Any time you eat at work, avoid smelly food and check your teeth. Keep some mints around and keep your mouth healthy. Ask a trusted colleague to tell you quickly if you are having an undetected wardrobe malfunction.
I am aware of a serial nose picker in a previous organization who earned a nasty nickname. These seemingly minor defects can hurt you if they are constant and unfixed. Don’t let yourself become an office punchline. |
|
|
Results: Find the value. |
|
“Don’t do it if the customer wouldn’t pay for it!” That’s the essence of non-value-added activity, most often associated with Taiichi Ohno, developer of the much-imitated Toyota Production System.
Apply that notion to everything you do every day, regardless of how incongruent it seems. Would the customer pay for us to be having this inefficient meeting? Would the customer pay for this offsite experience? Would the customer pay for this lousy report I construct that no one looks at? It’s a great lens to apply to your own work to ensure you work on things that matter.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Until next week!
Steve
|
|
Click HERE to follow my social channels.
Please like and share with your family and friends. |
|
|
