The Top 10 Ways to be Noticed, Respected, and Sought-After at Your Church
Being a great worker, getting to work on time, and staying there late will not get you where you want to be in your job as a youth worker. Working a longer day does not necessarily mean that you are being more productive; it just means that you are stretching out your tasks, projects, meetings, or responsibility. Here are a few ways to make yourself that noticed, respected, and sought-after employee:
1. Show initiative.
Go ahead and volunteer for that tough project. No one needs to know your butterflies are flying in formation.
2. Be a leader.
Even if just on one part of a project, become a leader with your knowledge and expertise. Strut your stuff very nonchalantly. People WILL notice.
3. Collaborate.
Co-workers and subordinates can always use an extra hand or idea on their projects. Take time to help others even when you are busy, it helps create camaraderie within the department or team.
4. Use your resources.
No one has to know it all, you just need to know where to get the information you need. Call that professor you knew from your undergraduate class that specialized in your area, or that ex-boss two jobs back. Stop reinventing the wheel.
5. Mentor/coach a less experienced colleague.
New employees always welcome someone who will guide them through the ropes. Who knows if this person will one day be in a position to reciprocate a favor from way-back-when? Reaching out to a new youth director in town can be a wonderful way to share your knowledge and meet a new friend.
6. Become part of the team.
Even if you're the boss, roll up your sleeves and get in the trenches with your staff. Teamwork is the new frontier in the new economy. The lone ranger mentality is passe.
7. Overdeliver.
Always give more than you promised within the stated timeline.
8. Share the credit.
No one likes working with a person who will not acknowledge the efforts of the group. Share the limelight with your colleagues or staff.
9. Be a great follower.
Being a leader is expected and rewarded, but it is just as crucial to be a great follower. We can't all be trailblazers all the time. Sometimes your best place is being a follower. Do it with grace and style.
10. Manage up.
Managing up does not mean apple-polishing. Managing up requires that you understand where your boss is coming from, what her priorities are, and exactly what will get her attention. If you're not in sync with your boss, you're missing the whole point.
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