Cool blog post on qualities that help your career (with my comments). Click here for the original post.
The author reviews 9 qualities. I’ll start with the first four today:
Out of the box thinking: Yes, it’s a tired old phrase. To be honest, I see more people succeed in corporate life by conforming than by being out of the box. But as you move up, and as you know how to present these ideas, you’ll be a winner.
“Be the person who jumps in and takes on a new project.” Just be sure you’re hitching a wagon to a star that comes with rewards. I see too many people expending energy on projects that companies don’t value.
“Eagerness to learn.” Definitely! It’s the folks who learn the is and outs of social marketing more than those who still work based on what they learned in graduate school.
“An eye for detail.” This one’s definitely a winner. The author refers to mastering minute details but I find those who notice small things (and follow up) get the rewards.
“Willingness to help” can be overrated. I think the benefit of helpfulness is gender-based. Guys get appreciated when they offer help. Women are expected to be there for everyone.
- Cynical? Yes, but also true. Studies show that (for example) students expect female college professors to be more available than male college professors. I can vouch for that! Whe I was a college professor, students told me their problems with family and child care. My married male colleagues were usually more sympathetic.
- That being said, an appearance of willingness to help is probably critical, especially in the earlier stages of your career.