As cost pressures build, as they are in a number of sectors, the need for people to prove themselves to those above is taking precedence over a commitment to add value to the intended cause.
What makes matters worse is the number of commentators talking about the importance of building ‘our’ brand rather than encouraging people to think about their brand as but a consequence of the value they add.
As markets become ever more competitive, employees at every level of a business need to understand that it is who and what they are and what they contribute that matters to those who employ them.
In the absence of knowing what we stand for, people are often compelled to try and convince those above of the uniqueness of their skills coupled with an eagerness to please. While neither sound overly perverse, it is this type of behaviour that is causing organisations to become ever more political and ultimately self-obsessed.
What organisations need, irrespective of what CE’s appear to want, are people who have the capacity to get their heads around the strategy in order to identify the outcomes they need to deliver.
What organisations don’t need, even though CE’s often demonstrate it more than anyone, are people who want to align themselves with those above in order to make themselves look good.
Not surprisingly, too many of the world’s insecure are being elected to fulfil key positions because those tasked with the responsibility of filling them lack the awareness to understand the implications.
If you want to build a strong, healthy, high performing team, don’t chose people who want to please you. Instead, look for people who understand what needs to be delivered and are prepared to back themselves to do it. If they can’t, they will accept the need to change or move on whereas the former will blame others for their failure in order to keep their reputation intact.
In summary, what organisations need more than anything are people who put their customers and shareholders ahead of their careers. Of course, the only way this happens is when employees understand job security is not something to seek for the sake of shoring it up, it occurs as a consequence of the value they add to the organisation’s stakeholders.
If you want your career to flourish, ask yourself the question; what does my employer most need from me or someone at my level? Once clear, make the decision to deliver it. Not just today, but every day – or at least until you identify something more useful.
©1995-Present day. All rights reserved – Steel Performance Solutions