It takes a lot to get noticed among a crowd of people. You cannot be an average Joe if you want to stand out among the crowd. I was at an Atlanta Braves game about a week ago and was part of the massive crowd of people. It was a good game until the end and they lost. However, amidst all the noise of the crowd I learned something.
Are you standing out from the crowd?
I noticed that some people in the stands were doing a better job of getting noticed by the cameraman. Many people were trying to get on the jumbo screen at the stadium. Some people didn’t do a very good job of getting noticed. On the other hand, some people made signs, wore costumes, sang a dirge, danced and other things that are not rated “G” for this blog! In any case, some of them figured out that in order to get noticed from the crowd they had to do something different. I was thinking about this and thought that in today’s economy and because of high unemployment rates it is important that we distinguish ourselves from the crowd. I quickly compiled a list of things that anyone can do to make themselves stand out more than others.
- Be a next step kind of thinker. If your leader has to think for you and always tell you what to do, then he doesn’t need you.
- Do more than what is required of you. Anyone can do the minimum but a true leader will do what it takes to help the organization be successful. Remember that “industry standards” is just another word for average or mediocre!
- Work while you’re at work and resist the urge to play on the internet or waste time. Too many people waste time at work surfing the net. You’re paid to be there so you should give them an honest day’s work.
- Be a problem solver instead of a problem magnifier. Before you bring a problem to your leader take the time to think of some possible solutions. This shows your leader that you know how to solve problems without them having to think for you. Bring solutions to your leader and not just problems!
- Don’t be afraid to do something that seems beneath you. God blesses humility.
- Bring problems up to the right person instead of down to those who can’t solve them. When we bring problems to people who can’t solve them, then we destroy unity and it destroys the morale of those around you.
- Be willing to work harder than those around you.
These are just a few ideas and I’m sure that we can come up with many more. This is definitely enough to get us started.
Coaching Question: Are you currently applying these to your life? If not, how can you implement them in your work environment? What would you add to the list?
Great list Eric. I’d add be a calming force, be a giver and find ways to help grow your peers. This can be tricky but it’s very doable.
Those are great ones as well. I would definitely think that being a generous person would be another great addition.
I particularly like number 5, the one about humility. For a leader to truly be followed, humility goes a long way.
That one was a little different because it didn’t involve actually doing something but more leaders need to develop this trait in their lives.
Completely agree
Good post, Eric. I particularly like #4: “Be a problem solver instead of a problem magnifier. Before you bring a problem to your leader take the time to think of some possible solutions”. I refer to this as “think like an owner”. If you always try to think like the owner or the leader of the organization for whom you work, or for whom you are consulting, you tend to make more of the type of impact the owner or leader would want you to make. As you point out, if you show up with a solution or at least some options, rather than just showing up with the problem and complaining, or saying “what should I do,” that will put you head and shoulders above the great majority of the crowd. Paul
Thanks Paul. I will remember your suggestion of “think like an owner.” This will bring a new perspective to leading as a “second chair leader.” I always try to think of solutions before I bring a problem to my leaders. It shows them that I know how to think and that I can be trusted.
And you got all this from a Brave’s Game? – says the Red Sox fan…;)
Great Post Eric. You are always thinking , always writing those posts in your head. I love you bringing it to us from your own life like the Braves Game or a Monopoly Game.
Thanks for posting and being part of our FB group.
Thanks. I always try to ask myself what I can learn from a situation. I’m not always successful but every once and a while I will get one right!
Eric, awesome article and sage advice. Too many people now days see a job as nothing more than yet another entitlement, and they forget that they need to make money the old fashioned way… They need to earn it!!! The same holds true for someone in business who has a team of business partners. You need to lean forward and lead from the front! You need to lead by example and do more than everyone else on the team. If they see you doing the right things right all the time, they will start to follow your example and multiply your efforts.
I agree with you that it is important to lead by example. Many leaders these days are willing to pay the price for leadership. They want to lead but they don’t want it to cost them anything. You can choose one of the two. Leadership usually comes with a cost.