Can your boss and co-workers count on you to do what you say you’ll do? Do they trust you to meet your quota, communicate effectively and deliver quality work? Being reliable can benefit you in countless ways at work.
Electra Michaelidou, a career and lifestyle writer, says being known as a reliable team member can open the door to new opportunities, boost your self-confidence and improve your work relationships. Even if you’re not necessarily known as the go-to person on your team, you can take steps to demonstrate your reliability and build this important soft skill. We share Michaelidou’s reliability-boosting ideas in this issue of PromoPro Daily.
Work methodically. This means you approach each workday with a plan. You know what times of day you’re most creative, you set realistic goals, and you’re consistent in everything you do. Michaelidou says when everyone on your team knows what to expect from you, both in terms of behavior and quality of work, they’ll know they can rely on you.
Keep yourself accountable. If you constantly make excuses or place blame on other people, you won’t score any reliability points. Instead, hold yourself accountable by taking ownership of your work and admitting mistakes.
Be on time. This shows respect to your colleagues and that you take your job seriously. When they know you’re punctual, they’ll feel more comfortable entrusting you with bigger things. Michaelidou says that arriving to work on time and getting to meetings early are both excellent ways to demonstrate reliability.
Don’t miss deadlines. If you’re truly overwhelmed, ask your boss to help you prioritize. Otherwise, make sure you follow through on your commitments. Michaelidou recommends using lists, timers and reminders on your phone to help you stay on track and streamline your process.
Offer solutions. Mistakes happen sometimes, Michaelidou says, which is why it’s important to look for solutions and stay calm under pressure. Become known as the problem-solver on your team – someone who can identify the issues, evaluate the options and think on their feet.
When you become more relied upon and trusted, you can build a solid foundation for yourself in the promo industry. Every business can use employees with this crucial trait, so apply the tips above to become a more reliable promo professional.
Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Electra Michaelidou is a career and lifestyle writer who contributes to CareerAddict, a career advice platform.