Career Advice for Job Seekers
9 Characteristics of Top Performers
William Frierson
Heather Dugan, Salary.com contributing writer
Don stood by, riveted by the wreckage. “It’s a burning platform, Jim.”
“We’ve gotta make hay, Don! Why weren’t we leveraged for this?”
Grimly, the two office warriors surveyed the damage laid out in grids on a six-page spreadsheet.
“No warning, Jim. Last week we were talking foursomes and fourth quarter. At this juncture, he’s out-of-pocket for the long haul.”
Excel-shocked, the two men stared down a bleak future in utter silence, until inspiration struck. “Better bring Diane in for this. She can handle it.” Don shrugged, “Sounds like a plan.”
Jim smiled. “Wanna do lunch?”
Becoming the Go-To Guy/Gal
She may look ordinary, tapping out an email while fielding phone calls and fending off recaps of Ellen’s favorite sitcom, but Diane is a magnet for special projects and problem solving. “Check with Diane” and “Maybe Diane will have an idea,” are all-too-common phrases heard around the office.
Diane was never a last team pick in gym class and considered far too valuable for bench sitting. Instead, she blazed toward the goal or base — ready for the quick pass or throw and primed to score for the team. Still in the action, Diane gets the head nod in meetings and the mention in memos, and her stellar traits and skills can be developed by just about anybody.
Interested? Read on to find out how you can become your office’s “Diane.”
9. Decisiveness
You won’t find Diane wavering between the turkey wrap and the cobb salad in the lunchroom, or about whether to cold call a client. She’s decisive.
With a tight deadline, weather vane-ing is unproductive. A Go-To gathers necessary facts, tapping into the expertise of others as needed and develops a plan of action. He may appear to have a head start, but that’s often just because he knew when to start. His ability to focus forward makes it less likely that an issue will get stuck in review mode, leaving the solution out of sight.
8. Flexibility
Don’t confuse being decisive with being stubborn and rigid. You can’t be successful if you don’t adapt and roll with the punches.
One of Diane’s strengths is an ability to bend time (or at least push it around a little). She’s mentally flexible and less prone to panic over adjustments to the day’s or week’s itinerary. While she may be thinking, “There goes spinning class,” she can quickly move on to “I’ll just run with my dog” or “What a great opportunity” because she sees time as fluid and can readily channel it as needed to meet changing demands.
7. Ability to Look at the Big Picture
There’s never a good moment for a popcorn run at an action movie. If the hero-to-be required a lengthy briefing on the impending doom, the concession stand might see a little more action. But somehow, hero man has been gleaning details all along. He’s watched evil develop or perhaps absorbed key facts the last time he saved the planet. A finger pointed toward the sky, a quick shrill scream and he’s good to go.
Point and scream moments are rare in the office, but like our movie hero, the Go-To is innately aware of what’s going on around her. She’s the Go-To because her boss knows she’ll be quick off the block, and will make decisions that are beneficial in the long-term. Continue reading . . .
Article by Heather Dugan and courtesy of Salary.com
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