Know what your job takes

Vera Ng’oma

In every job, there is the skills part and the attitude part. The latter can be challenging but when you get it right chances are you’ll be more effective. Here’s my take on some good attitudes to develop;

Take care: Be supportive, behave in a way that builds others up and help them to engage. Also take care of yourself so that you are comfortable to be around and do not send everyone taking cover when you are stressed and end up throwing fits. Do not over commit and then dump work on others when you can’t cope. You ensure that your behaviours are a good example for others particularly those you lead.

Take charge: This isn’t about being bossy or expecting everyone to do your every bidding. When you take charge, you solve problems, you influence for positive change, you inspire the people around you to do their best because they feel positively challenged to be better. You become an example of what you expect or demand from others. Focus on behaviours that drive your own success, that of your team and the organisation.

Take on: Be willing to assume additional responsibilities where you can. You  make the effort not to be focussed only on what your job description says but seek to be part of teams and offer to apply your skills in other ways. If you manage people don’t be afraid to ‘take on’ and challenge bad behaviour from colleagues and encourage attitudes and habits that enhance their capability.

Take up: Take up the challenge of doing something different, new, better, getting out of your comfort zone to rise to a new level. Raise your personal standards and not routinely do something the way you did it yesterday. Welcome the opportunity to learn new things especially from others and operate from your potential and asking more of yourself.

Now take action: What one change can you make to become more effective?