Remind your boss you’re doing a great job

We’re all busy. And while we’re preoccupied with ticking off our to-do lists and wishing there were more hours in the day, we often forget to be our own career advocates — to remind our managers of what a great job we’re doing. Put your accomplishments back on the boss’s radar — without bragging — by sending a brief email update.

Nothing fancy; a sentence or two is fine: “Just wanted to let you know that xyz project continues to go well, the client was pleased with our draft, and next steps are to finalise the numbers, which we will have for your review by Thursday.” The update doesn’t have to contain any real news. But in sending it, you’ll look competent, communicative and on top of things — all attributes of a top performer.

(Adapted from “7 Simple Ways Working Parents Can Simultaneously Improve Their Careers, Their Families, and Themselves,” by Daisy Wademan Dowling.)

Look at all options before making a decision

We make thousands of decisions every day, some simple and some more involved. To improve the chances that you’ll make a “right” choice, try looking at all of your options together rather than evaluating them one at a time. For example, if you’re deciding which job candidates to interview, it’s better to lay out the résumés of all applicants on a table, evaluate and compare them, then decide whom to interview — instead of looking at one candidate’s résumé, forming an opinion about it, and then moving on to assess the next one. Recent research shows that viewing options together like this makes you more likely to choose the objectively best one. With all of the information in front of you at once, you can compare the options more thoroughly.

(Adapted from “To Make Better Choices, Look at All Your Options Together,” by Shankha Basu and Krishna Savani.)

It may be time to pull the plug on old projects

It’s hard to let go of a project or objective that you’ve invested time and effort in. But it’s important to put those emotions aside to judge each initiative on its merits — and kill projects that may be holding you or your company back.

Simply put: If the value of what you are doing now is lower than the value of what you could be doing instead, change course. Don’t wait until everyone agrees that there’s no harm in abandoning the project. Make the initiative prove its value, taking into account other options and alternatives. Doing something that brings in $1,000 of value may seem worth doing, for example, but if it’s keeping you so busy that you can’t put resources into endeavors that may add $10,000 of value, you are saving dimes but losing dollars.

(Adapted from the HBR Guide to Thinking Strategically.)

Share stories that reinforce values

Too many companies rely on a vague, generic statement to articulate what matters to it. If you want employees to embrace and express your organisation’s values, use stories instead of a mission. Look for stories about co-workers supporting one another, representatives providing excellent customer service, and customers being delighted by your products. Then find unique ways to spread those stories.

You could invite a customer to share their stand-out experience at an all-staff meeting. Or you could play a video of one of your best stories at employee orientation. Storytelling teaches your employees to pay attention to the experiences of real people and helps employees feel good about the values your organisation stands for.

(Adapted from “Use Stories from Customers to Highlight Your Company’s Purpose,” by Erica Keswin.)

Creating a healthier workplace

Have you ever responded to an overwhelming moment at work by closing your eyes and imagining yourself lying on a beach or strolling down a forest path? Research shows that exposure to green spaces reduces stress and boosts general health. One study found that greener office environments increased employee productivity by 15pc. There are easy ways to incorporate some nature into your day: hold walking meetings outside; use outdoor spaces for your lunch breaks; open blinds to let in natural light; tape a photo of your favourite nature scene to your cubicle, or listen to ambient sounds on your headphones; if you have a say in office decoration, suggest hanging nature photography or bringing in potted plants.

These small investments in a more natural work environment pay off in terms of increased happiness, relaxation, and even stronger connections to your co-workers.

(Adapted from “Why You Should Tell Your Team to Take a Break and Go Outside,” by Emma Seppala and Johann Berlin.)

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, December 11th, 2017