The Remarkable Employee

Good morning all,

I hope you are all in great form for a great week.

Coach Chris

Remarkable employees spend significant time helping other people succeed: their company, their employees, their customers and suppliers…But remarkable employees also spend a little time helping themselves succeed, both for “selfish” reasons and because their success creates success for others.

1. be first, but with a purpose

Many people try to be the first to arrive each day. That’s great, but what do you actually do with that time?Take care of unresolved problems from the day before. Set things up so it’s easier for other employees to hit the ground running when they come in. Chip away at an ongoing project others ignore.Don’t just be the one who turns on or off the lights – be the one who gets in early in order to get things done. Not only will your performance stand out, you’ll also start to…

2. master a specific — and valuable — skill

Meeting standards won’t help you stand out.So go above the norm. Be the leader known for turning things around Be the shipping manager who makes a few deliveries a week to personally check in with customers. Be the MD who promotes from within. Be known as the employee who responds quicker, acts faster, or always follows up.Pick a worthwhile mission and excel at it. I promise people will notice.

3. create your own side projects

Excelling at an assigned project is expected. Excelling at a side project — especially one you created — helps you stand out.Try it. For example, experiment on a new process or service with a particular customer in mind. The customer will appreciate how you tried, without being asked, to better meet their needs… and you’ll never be forgotten.

4. put your effort where your mouth is

Lots of people talk a lot. Few take a stand and put actual effort behind their opinions.Say you think a project has gone off the rails; instead of just pointing out its flaws so you can show everyone how smart you are, jump in and help fix it.Everyone talks about problems. The people who fix problems are the few who stand out.

5. show a little of your personal side

Personal interests – help people to remember you. That’s a huge advantage for a new employee or a company competing in a crowded market.Just make sure your personal interests don’t overshadow professional accomplishments. Being “the guy who does triathlons” is fine, but being “the guy who is always training and traveling to triathlons so we can never reach him when we need him” is not.Let people know a little about you; a few personal details add color and depth to your professional image and it makes you likable.

6. work harder than everyone else

Nothing – nothing – is a substitute for hard work.Look around: How many people are working as hard as they can? Very few.One way you can always stand out — regardless of talent, experience, or skill — is by outworking everyone else.It’s also the easiest way to stand out, because I guarantee you’ll be the only one trying that hard.