Do you consider yourself a great asset to your employer or a temporary liability? Well, the latter is self-defeat and the former is preferred. However, preference in this context is subjective. Being a great asset to your employer requires working smart with consistent high performance.

When there is a problem in your department or line of work, surely you would want to be the one with the desired solution. Take another example of customer service. If your customer has a concern, you need to be the one to attend to them to resolve their issue. When absent at work, your colleagues and the employer feels there is a missing link!

If you relate and associate yourself with the above statement, then you are an employee of value to your organisation. This means you are relevant in your workplace.

Relevancy in the workplace is enhanced by being passionate about your work, having a positive attitude and being equipped with the right skills and knowledge. Therefore, staying relevant means you regularly possess the tools desired for success at the workplace.

Take a quick reflection on the current economic challenges brought about by Covid 19 Pandemic. A number of organizations have been left with limited choices in an effort to reduce the costs of doing business. Organizations have had to take a tough decision and some, in fact, opted for strategies such as downsizing so as to retain key relevant employees who can constitute a small but efficient team in the meantime.

You need to keep yourself relevant to avoid being fired. Off course there are many reasons you can get fired including from misconduct to poor performance. It is very important to note that the number one top reason why people lose their jobs is because they do not remain relevant.

To remain on top of your game and avoid being terminated during times of economic depression, you need to keep yourself relevant in the workplace:

Positive thinking

Maintain a positive attitude at the workplace and view problems as challenges that require solutions. Positive thinking doesn’t mean that you keep your head in the sand and ignore life’s less pleasant situations. Positive thinking means that you approach problems in a more positive and productive way. Think that the best is going to happen, not the worst. With this mentality, your supervisors will view you as a solver of challenges and no employer would wish to terminate an employee of this calibre.  Your colleagues will believe in you and you will earn their respect.

Officer solutions

Be part of the solution, not the problem”. When the only thing one can see is problems, then one cannot see the solutions. Do whatever right it takes to get the job done. When faced with challenges (which is inevitable in the workplaces),

Present the problem without appearing to pass the blame to others.

Don’t complain about the system, policies, and so on. Instead, present suggestions as you highlight on the challenges.

Don’t stop at pointing what is necessary, but going ahead to give well-thought ideas.

Be trustworthy

No employer wants to associate with staff that are not trustworthy. Generally speaking, people want to be around other people who are authentic and have high character. Can you be trusted with responsibilities? Can you deliver on delegated task even beyond expectation? Do you observe confidentiality? The fact is that building trust is a journey, so don’t end it within just a blink of an eye.

Be a team player

Demonstrate genuine commitment to the team’s efforts. Every organization depends on good teams and you being an effective team player in the workplace contribute greatly to your success in that organization.

Team players are genuinely committed to their cause. You should not be limited to your job description. Great team players make sure they are at service when needed and contribute as much as possible. Remain relevant in the workplace by learning to be understanding, how to work with people of different backgrounds, be able to recognise the individual difference and also avoid unhealthy competition and infighting among co-workers

Learn more

Keeping relevant in the workplace requires that you are abreast with meaningful knowledge and skills.  Harry S. Truman said, “Not All Readers Are Leaders, But All Leaders Are Readers”. Irrespective of the position you are currently in, you can grow the leadership in you if you are on top of the game in terms of performance and people relations.  Increase your knowledge in all aspects of your job and do not limit yourself, try out new skills and get to know what the other departments do in the company.

Manage Expectation

Before you commit to handling any tasks, seek to understand the desired outcomes expected of you. Evaluate the resources required including the time to accomplish a given task. Then communicate to clarify expectations and report progress. Do not fall into the trap of assuming someone has the same understanding of a task that you do.

Remember that as you have deliverables and dependencies, likewise your colleagues do. So, if you don’t communicate about your expectations, you are fundamentally preventing others from managing their own expectations of you.

Be comfortable that the expectations are realistic and achievable. If they’re not, you can–and should–push back.

Deliver your best

Employers appreciate ideas but are more impressed by results. Let your actions speak for you! It is common knowledge to understand that knowledge is futile if not put into practice. Do your part and do it exceptionally well.

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Author: Edward Paska is a capacity building expert with over 9 years’ experience in Leadership and Management, HR practice, organizational development and training facilitation.