Act the part if you want to get ahead at work.
What do you want to be? The manager? Then act the part.
I am not saying you usurp someone's position.
What I am suggesting is you start doing some of the work of the manager.
Look at what are the important elements that are needed to be a manager.
Then start emulating them.
Employees get promoted when they start to show signs they can handle a higher position.
How do you do this without being seen as boastful or trying to outshine your boss? There are a few things you can do on the stealth, these are things that can last you a lifetime to learn.
The benefits are manifolds and are not just needed to be a good manager.
It's needed throughout your climb of the corporate ladder.
1.
Mindfulness To act the part of a manager without arousing suspicion or feel bad about doing it is to be mindful of your surroundings.
Take notice of things that happen in the office including relationships, how things get done, what are some things that bogs the systems down, etc.
Be mindful of your own thinking, feeling and doing.
Leaders and managers have a capability to know things about themselves and others.
2.
Modulate Learn to modulate your own emotions.
Be able to know them, your trigger points and your weaknesses.
Be mature enough not to show explosive emotions like getting angry, throwing tempers and having yelling matches.
I am not just talking about tempers, other emotions like childishness, pettiness and the likes as well.
These things have a tendency to stick with you and it will take a long time to clear these perceptions.
Take it from me.
I have first hand experience.
Even after many years of not losing my temper, people still think I have a quick temper.
3.
Motivation No one can motivate you.
Motivation comes from within.
It is what keeps you going.
It's the "thing" that cannot be explained that makes you wake up in the morning even before the alarm goes off.
It is what stops you from that "five minutes more" sleep.
What makes you wake up an hour earlier everyday? Want to be promoted and be a winner? Wake up an hour early.
Heck, just wake up as early as possible without compromising your health and see how productive your days are.
My best days at work are all days when I wake up early.
A habit I lost for some period of time but it's all coming back now.
4.
Empathy Learn to understand people's feelings.
Being able to empathize with another persons feelings will take you a long way.
If you do not naturally have it, then learn from people who can.
Practice all the time.
Have an appreciation for why people feel the way they feel and how they are feeling.
A good manager and leader have a knack for this.
5.
Magic What is the magic that you bring to your place of work? That little something that only you have and is identified with you.
You mean _______ to your colleagues? Can you fill in the blank? It can even be as simple as punctuality, humor when the time calls for it or efficiency.
It takes time to discover your magic.
So, act the part now so you may live the magic you bring.
You will discover upon it or stumble upon it as the case is almost always.
Acting the part is important to get you ahead in the office.
You want to be the best? Make sure you act the part.