There's not a lot of traffic on the extra mile. If you are just starting your career (or looking to bust out of the same old, same old), think about this. Go the extra mile. You won't have much competition. If most people leave the office at 5:01, stay until 5:30 and get those extras done that every boss (at least every good boss) appreciates. In no time at all, your career will be moving. People can make this way more complicated that it needs to be. First - do your job well. Second - do the extras. Result - success.
Scott Jagodzinski
of MN
@
May 09, 2008 16:55:37 PM
????
Just what the hell does the evening janitorial crew do here anyway?
RJ
of NH
@
May 09, 2008 16:17:20 PM
I am good at taking out the trash....
Do you think you can find just the right job for me?
Jolene
of IA
@
May 08, 2008 23:26:45 PM
Who is GL Hoffman anyway?
and where does he get the ideas for his posts?
Jolene from Iowa
of IA
@
May 08, 2008 23:23:38 PM
Great Common-Sense Advice
This is an excellent piece of advice that too few people appreciate or practice in today's workplace. It applies for every employee in any company or organization, regardless of size. Be the person that just does the things that need to get done. Don't complain, don't look for accolades, and don't keep score. Not only will you make your company a better place to work and more successful in the long-run, you'll also make the people around you take notice of what you do. It's simple, but it can have an incredibly profound impact on a company and the people within it.
Excellent, practical advice. I look forward to reading more of these columns.
Toby
of MN
@
May 06, 2008 17:55:09 PM
Empty the trash
Obviously, if the trash needs to be carried out, especially if it is yours, one just does it, good culture or bad. The 'learning' here for young people, perhaps, is that you will hear problems and issues that confront your business each day. It is eye opening to realize how few of these problems are actually being worked on. If you can continue to do your own job...and work on some of these un-assigned problems as well...with or without 'permission'...well, I would hire you.
GL HOFFMAN
of MN
@
May 06, 2008 15:57:38 PM
Pick your battles
Some things need to be done. Some don't. It's up to the individual. It seems to me the employee's willingness to go above and beyond the job description is directly related to their satisfaction or happiness working at that job. The more satisfied they are, the more apt they are to help out. So it may be an indication of one's company atmosphere and employee satisfaction if a request to empty the trash is met with a stony silence.
Fatesrider
of CA
@
May 06, 2008 15:46:52 PM
Pick your battles
Some things need to be done. Some don't. It's up to the individual. It seems to me the employee's willingness to go above and beyond the job description is directly related to their satisfaction or happiness working at that job. The more satisfied they are, the more apt they are to help out. So it may be an indication of one's company atmosphere and employee satisfaction if a request to empty the trash is met with a stony silence.
Fatesrider
of CA
@
May 06, 2008 15:39:24 PM
Doing what no one else wants to do
You have a real gem of wisdom here. It's true with a job and it's true with society in general. It's a quick cure for hubris. It's a sure path to bonding and leadership.
Scott Jagodzinski of MN @ May 09, 2008 16:55:37 PM
RJ of NH @ May 09, 2008 16:17:20 PM
Jolene of IA @ May 08, 2008 23:26:45 PM
Jolene from Iowa of IA @ May 08, 2008 23:23:38 PM
Toby of MN @ May 06, 2008 17:55:09 PM
GL HOFFMAN of MN @ May 06, 2008 15:57:38 PM
Fatesrider of CA @ May 06, 2008 15:46:52 PM
Fatesrider of CA @ May 06, 2008 15:39:24 PM
Conrad of CA @ May 06, 2008 14:27:15 PM
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