What are 5 things you need to be successful at work? There are five essential building blocks that underpin a positive, high trust culture where collaboration, problem solving and great teamwork combine to drive innovation and high levels of employee engagement, customer satisfaction and productivity.
Culture is played out by what people say and do every day – how they interact with colleagues and customers, their attitudes and belief systems – and lays bare whether they are equipped to excel in the workplace. Here, we share an overview of the essential things you need to be successful at work and to achieve a positive, inspired culture where every team member has a mindset of ownership and responsibility, optimism, respect for each other and a strong belief that they really make a difference.
Things You Need To Be Successful at Work
These are the five essential things you need to be successful at work:
1. Listening
I am convinced the skill of listening can never be overemphasized. We have numerous classes in speaking in our college courses, but I believe a mandatory class in LISTENING within the general education requirements would be of more benefit to the students. Active listening imparts approachability, and it is a valued skill.
Rather than giving you my perspectives on listening, let me share the wisdom of some thought leaders on listening:
- “One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.” – Bryant H. McGill
- “Listening is one of the loudest forms of kindness.” – Anonymous
- “Most of the successful people I’ve known are the ones who do more listening than talking.” – Bernard Beruch
- “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” – Winston Churchill
- “God gave us a mouth that closes and ears that don’t. That must tell us something.” – Anonymous
- “Most people don’t listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” – Stephen Covey
2. Caring
People who excel at work care about their fellow workers. Caring about people is one of the elements of Wellness-Centered Leadership, or leadership that is designed to empower and foster professional fulfillment.
3. Extra Mile
Successful people always do more than is expected of them. When problems arise, people who excel at work do whatever it takes to resolve the issue. They do not have to be asked; they are always ready to go the extra mile.
4. Consistency of Effort
I used to think that effort was the key to athletic success. I no longer believe this for athletics or any profession. I believe the difference between good and great in any endeavor is the consistency of effort.
No one has their “A” game every day, but the great ones develop the ability and the mindset to reach down and bring the best they have every day.
5. Humility
The most successful people I worked with were humble from their first through their last day at work. I found that people who made it to the very top of their professions in business, education, law, or medicine were humble people. The willingness to admit that there is more to learn is the mark of an excellent leader.
Incongruously, people who were trying to excel in their work but had not reached the top were the arrogant, egotistical ones. This seemed to be a recurrent occurrence.
