We all know “that person.”
• You can never ask her for a favor without an eye roll.
• Her customer service skills leave clients feeling uneasy about the quality of care they’re receiving.
• She complains… constantly.
No one likes working with “that person.”
But, who’s on the other end of that spectrum?
• The person you can always count on to lend a hand when she’s needed… sometimes without being asked.
• The person who always walks through the door with a smile on her face… and you’re always happy to see her.
• The person who constantly goes above and beyond to make your clients feel like their pets are well taken care of.
Which person are you?
Maybe you’re somewhere in the middle. We all have good days and bad days. Sometimes you can’t help but bring life to work with you. Maybe you got to bed late, you had a fight with your significant other, or your kids got on your last nerve and now you’re running late. I get it. I’ve been there.
But, what if I told you that it’s completely within your reach to be the person everyone likes to work with? The person who makes clients feel special and is recognized by her employer for being an invaluable team member. (Bonus: This can lead to better and more frequent raises, promotions, and professional opportunities.)
It takes hard work and self-discipline, but the hardest part is to WANT to be that person and then to TRY to be that person as often as you can. Here are five tips to keep in mind:
• If someone asks for help, be the first person to volunteer, even if the task is gross or time consuming.
• Leave your personal problems at home. It can be hard when your coworkers are also your friends. Try to keep your personal rants off the floor and confined to break time or outside of work. This will allow you to keep your positive attitude all through your work day.
• Don’t gossip at work, even about people with whom you don’t work. Gossiping makes you appear untrustworthy.
• Fake it till you make it. Smile, even if you don’t feel like it. I know it sounds cliché, but it works. Eventually, having a smile on your face will be the default, and being happy will come more easily than being unhappy.
• Take care of yourself. I know it sounds counterintuitive, but you can only give so much until you need to recharge. You can’t pour out of an empty cup, and a martyr isn’t a fun person to work with. Take a break when appropriate and necessary. Eat lunch, go to the bathroom, and, for goodness sake, drink some water. You can only be positive, energetic, and enthusiastic if you aren’t hangry with a kidney infection.
A little self-awareness can go a long way when it comes to how your coworkers, employer, and clients perceive you. Being a five-star team player takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but it comes with a heap of rewards that can include bonuses and promotions, which means more money in your pocket. Perhaps, most importantly, you will be happier. So, be the coworker of your dreams. I believe in you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Erin is an ECC specialty certified technician living in beautiful Fort Collins, Colorado. She shares her home and heart with her boyfriend, Bradford, and their chatty kitty, Kevin. While dangerously close to a workaholic, Erin and Bradford still find time to travel together. Erin also enjoys being an amateur home chef, taking photographs, and riding her horse, Katie. Professionally, Erin is passionate about the subject of technician empowerment.