“Eighty percent of success is showing up.”
I think Woody Allen was eighty percent right when he coined that truism. I’d give him a 100 if he had said, “Eighty percent of success is showing up earlier and staying later than your cohorts at work, especially your boss.”
I’m not advocating workaholic hours. Nor am I suggesting sucking up to the boss. Here’s my career tip: A few minutes on either end of the workday will produce real, measurable results along your career path.
This career strategy delivers several advantages.
1. Your boss will be impressed with your energy and commitment to your job.
2. You’ll have time without distractions (phones ringing, colleagues interrupting) to organize your tasks for the day when you come earlier and wrap them up when you stay later. Your productivity will increase.
3. You can get a few minutes one-on-one with your boss because chances are others won’t be there. This is the opportunity for coaching; learning how he thinks; what are his on-the-job problems; and how you can help him reach his goals.
4. You’ll have more time to take on added responsibilities, thus increasing your value to your employer.
5. You won’t be tagged as a “clock watcher.”
And while you are at it, cut down on the time you are taking for coffee breaks and lunches.
I wish you career success!
Ramon Greenwood, Head Coach
Common Sense At Work
Sorry, evidently, I failed to get my message across in the “Arrive Early, Stay Late” blog.
I’m not advocating a charade to impress the boss. Instead, I am saying there are solid benefits for you and your employer in following that strategy.
1. You’ll accomplish more by having time for your job without distractions of phone ringing, colleagues interrupting, etc.
2. You’ll have more access to your boss for coaching, getting to know him better, learning about his goals and those of your employer and the opportunities they create.
3. You’ll have more time to take on added responsibilities.
4. The boss will be impressed by your energy and commitment to your job…your increased productivity.
I think that means a win-win situation for you and your employer.
By the way, I’d advise you to take the initiative to make sure your boss is aware of your accomplishments.
It is unfortunate that people are looked upon as productive merely for arriving early or staying late, rather than the great jobs they do while at work during normal working hours.
Maybe if managers focused more on who is productive, than who is coming in early and staying late there would be better work life balance and happier employees.
I have been in the position where I have been more productive than people who come in early and stay late, but achieve less, yet they get recognition for doing this even if their work is not as great. Plus they get the perks of claiming meals from the company and taxi rides home.
Aren’t we measuring the wrong things and sending out the wrong messages to employees?