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How to Be an Effective Employee?05 May 2015

Different jobs require different skills and approaches. One thing, which stays the same for any kind of work you do, and which will add to your success, is keeping the right attitude. Whether you consider a boss – employee relation or an ability to make teamwork successful, going in with a specific and right mindset is key.

Set and maintain high standards

This will be appreciated, and not only by your boss. The person assigning you the work will be pleased to see that you've met the demand, and the customers, who receive the work item shall both appreciate the standard and get business assurance from the quality of work done. So, high quality work all round shall result with praise and the returning of business.

Along with this goes the logical rule of not beginning to work on something, that you are not sure you understand. The danger here is time wasted on unneeded work. Better to make sure you get the idea before you proceed. Also, once you do have a grasp of the instructions, stick to them, at least with new tasks, it's only after a few repeats that you'll be safe to follow your own way.

Being precise and dedicated always goes a long way. So, high quality again. And once you're done with a task, go right to another, without having to be told. This proves initiative and responsibility, both highly valued by your boss.

Use good ways to communicate

The percentage of people who react better to strict demands and harshly put commands, than to pleasant communication and civil conversation is very small. It makes sense that when you use friendly language and stay nice towards co-workers, bosses, employees – they listen. Treating people in a way, in which you'd like to be treated yourself is always a good idea. Letting others talk instead of interrupting is a part of this too.

Another side of this issue is applying a strict policy on not criticizing others publicly. However true the remarks, this behaviour creates an atmosphere of control and distrust. Better to not go there at all. Similarly, if you'd rather for the entire office not to know your secrets, don't confide them to any of the people – simple.

Last, but not least, make visible contributions to the teamwork. Staying known among the colleagues as easy to work with and happy to help will power up a good opinion to follow you. At the same time, don't make the need to ask for help a problem. As long as you've had a go at cracking it yourself first, people will usually not mind helping you out.

A touch of common sense and decency

Prioritize your work and commit to doing it – for that's the point, after all. This also means leaving private stuff and calls for after work, not stretching 10-minute breaks to an hour long ones and staying as productive as possible (including being on time and focused).

Another part of doing professional work lies in making a professional impression, simply by dressing appropriately, using correct language, speaking clearly, calmly and loud enough for others to hear you. It's also always a good idea to act confidently, even (or particularly) in situations when you aren't. After all, the way in which you present and react to a problem is often a large portion of the way that others will perceive it and go about fixing it. So, stay calm and confident, also in situations of high stress level and great urgency.

Using some or all of the instructions above may not guarantee a raise, a promotion nor other forms of gratification. It will, however, make your work much more satisfying and improve the workplace ethics, morale, atmosphere and productivity. Now, these may indeed result in financial rewards further down the line. But the idea is to improve the everyday experience, relationships with co-workers, the boss and getting better job satisfaction. Good luck!