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Kick-start your personal development at work
Some jobs are so tedious and repetitive you would naturally feel bored. If you have one such job on your hand you will surely long for alternative activities that alleviate boredom. Even in the best of jobs where the work fits your aptitude, monotony sets in once the initial sheen wears off. If you want to break the monotony of everyday work, take initiative now! Do not sit back and wait for your manager to give you new assignments or make your job more interesting. The on
us is on you to let your boss know about your plans. You have every right to seek personal development at work Every manager will be interested in keeping his staff engaged in different activities. If the employees are giving anything less than 100 percent commitment to their jobs, productivity is bound to suffer.
Therefore, many organisations have performance development plans to keep employee interests alive. Through these programmes the management tries to align personal goals of the employees with the objectives of the organisation.
Managers offer career counselling, mentoring and advice.
The idea is to help the employee progress in his career path and in the process see that the organisation benefits. When such activities are planned, do not hesitate to air your feelings to your boss. Tell him your expectations and the strategies you have in mind to excel in your job. Help him redesign your job responsibilities and chalk out a suitable career path for you.
Even if your organisation has no such personal development plans do not worry. Trigger your own personal development plan. Remember that in the interest of the organisational productivity your boss will definitely address your concerns. So take the first opportunity to apprise him of your feelings. Here are some ideas to help your boss help you:
• Develop a good rapport with your boss. When your boss is under heavy work pressure, volunteer to do extra work to ease his burden. This will help you create a favourable impression on your boss and set the tone to initiate your personal development plan with him
• If you have any latent talents that you are not making use of in the present job, bring them to the notice of your boss. Explain how you can bring value to your company using your talents. Persuade him to give you an opportunity to showcase your special talents such as communication skills, team building or negotiation skills in the best interests of the organisation
• Take a proactive approach to work. Instead of brooding over monotonous work, find avenues to participate in varied activities. Try to represent your department at meetings and your company at outside forums
• Help your co-workers when they are in need. This will broaden your experience and also demonstrate to your boss that you can shoulder greater responsibility and handle different jobs
• Take active part in meetings and give valuable suggestions on process improvement, work environment and productivity enhancement. This way your merit will get noticed and you will be considered for promotions when the opportunity arises
• Try to convince your boss to introduce a rotation policy to enable employees to learn cross-functional skills and overcome monotony at work
• Request your boss to provide training opportunities to help you hone your skills or develop new skills that can be profitably applied at work
Take action before monotony takes a heavy toll on your productivity. Let your hard work and efficiency speak for you. Ask for new assignments with greater responsibilities or a role change.
Set career goals within the broad parameters of organisational objectives and seek the guidance of your boss to achieve the same.
Use your creativity to make the routine work interesting. Leverage your expertise to bring process improvements. Also, aim to reduce the time taken to complete your jobs or see that your work results in valued added output.
This will help you gain some brownie points and your boss will himself seek your suggestions to make the routine work more interesting. Get set to put monotony behind you. Approach your boss now to introduce variation and interest at work.
N. PURNIMA SRIKRISHNA
faqs@cnkonline.com
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