Survive the recession at work
In today’s unstable economic climate, it’s a good idea to think about how we could fireproof our jobs. This means making ourselves and our job-related functions as essential and valuable as possible.
To do anything less is presumptuous at best, and foolish or suicidal at worst. Put another way, we are attempting to create for ourselves a scenario wherein if worse came to worst, we would be the last ones to go out the door if the enterprise shut down.
So how do we begin to ‘fireproof’ our job? There are no guarantees, of course, but there are some straightforward considerations I can make.
Avoid the introspection trap
The alluring option is to shrink back, cut back and be focussed primarily on number one – this is usually seen as avoiding rocking the boat. We tend to keep out heads down and plod on, hoping we won’t be noticed. The best way to have a great attitude is to stop focussing on ourselves and our fears and anxieties and instead focus on others, in particular our customers and colleagues. Stop thinking like a ‘victim’; they are the ones who almost always get fired first.
Upgrade our attitudes
1. All of us create an ‘atmosphere’ wherever we go. What do you bring to work? Is it optimism, energy, and a problem-solving outlook, or comments about how much you wish the weekends were longer and the workdays shorter?
2. Become an encourager at work - and drop out of the complainers club who use sarcasm and dark humour to pass the day or reinforce the whiners at work.
3. Let your language, your words, lead. Use ‘can do’ rather than ‘can’t do’ language.
Revamp our work ethic
1. Aspire to go to new levels of productivity and efficiency. No employer in his or her right mind will quickly release anyone who seriously cares and walks out such an attitude and commitment.
2. Become personally concerned and committed to the success of your company’s products and services.
3. Go the ‘extra mile’ in terms of effort, excellence, and availability to serve and work above and beyond “what is expected of you” or simply your job description.
Elevate our skill sets
1. Go to your superiors and ask them what kind of training, study materials, or counsel they may give you on how to upgrade your skill sets and make you more valuable to the company. Whatever they suggest, endeavour to do it. If nothing else, if you are sincere and they know it, you just moved yourself much higher on their “fireproof” list of company layoff employees.
2. Ask those who are successful in their jobs where they went for insight and tips as to how they achieved their success.
3. Seek ways to help upgrade the skill sets of those around you. Anyone who helps others become more successful catches others’ attention.
Recalibrate our relational skills
1. Work efficiencies are the result of good team building and the relational health of the organization. Ask yourself and maybe those around you to help you see how to improve your relationship skills.
2. Become a better listener. Stop gossiping or trashing others in any way. Communicate your concern to others wisely when they try to use your ears as a garbage can at work.
3. Look for ways where you can become an effective problem-solver.
In times like these, if we are lucky enough to have a job then we need to do all we can to fireproof it. No one is above redundancy, but you can certainly improve your chances. It comes down to simple solutions… do your job well and make sure they know that you care. Become the worker that you would hate to lose, and they won’t want to lose you either.
Article includes material adapted from Dennis Peacock SCS
Click HERE to listen to an audio soundbite from David Oliver
Written by David Oliver. Posted on 26th June.
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