10 ways to become an effective employee

There’s plenty of literature on how to become leaders or go-getters. But there’s very little information on some of the fundamentals – like how to be a better employee. From associates to managers, everyone’s an employee first. The health and well-being in the microcosm can, in turn, impact larger structures. Leadership skills or business objectives cease to matter if functioning on a daily becomes too difficult.

So, what does it mean to be an effective employee? Employees need to be team players, of course. But in the end, it’s mostly about effectively managing the many elements in a workplace. Some of them involve other people, while others require individual effort.

1.  Stay focused

There are distractions galore at every turn. Perhaps you are preoccupied with a new project keeping you from tasks. Or maybe you are drowning in notifications – email, phone, or social media. Overly chatty colleagues can sometimes derail any semblance of productivity for the day.

The number one key to being an effective employee is to stay focused. Try and identify the distractions that usually steer you off course. Keep a mental note or write them down if you prefer. After a few days of this, you will notice exactly what breaks your focus for long periods. Awareness of patterns is the first step to changing habits.

2.  Prioritise

Workloads can have you feeling pulled in multiple directions at once. It is overwhelming and can make anyone feel like they are drowning in work.

The most effective way to tackle a mountain of work is by learning how to prioritise. Begin by taking stock of all tasks and prioritising projects by deadlines. Next, categorise tasks according to difficulty levels or time and energy needed. Planning takes time and may seem daunting initially. But with consistent practice, it will become routine.

3.  A learner for life

What you get from an organisation is one part of it. The things you proactively put back into your learning and growth are equally, if not more, important.

The idea is to mimic the excitement and rush of a first job. Many people get too comfortable and even a little cynical over time. While this is a part of any journey, we owe ourselves to stay driven. Continual learning can help our careers, but the benefits go beyond. It is fuel for the mind – making work and life infinitely more interesting.

4.  Be respectful

Respect runs the world – an essential truth in any time or space. We meet different people in the office. Disagreements will eventually happen.  It can be easy to let personal prejudices creep into work, creating unnecessary stress for everyone. Nobody needs that. It is neither productive nor conducive to a healthy working environment.

Always assume and respect that people may think differently from you. Once you approach work conversations with this in mind, it can help foster discussions and not arguments.

5.  Emphasise one-on-one communication as much as possible

Staring at screens for hours on end is an occupational hazard for most. Take the time to walk over and talk to colleagues instead. It may be easier to send an email and ensure uninterrupted workflow, but the benefits of face-to-face interactions are undeniable.

6.  Commitment

Acknowledge the days when you need to go through the motions for various reasons. On other days, remain committed and invested. A primary reason for job apathy is a lack of connection to the work. What’s the best way to shake off the inertia? Try and remember why you do what you do, and keep going. The internal drive will make you more productive and successful at work.

7.  Become an expert

Learn everything there is to learn about your job. You could learn new skills or sign up for workshops – anything that can help you do your work better. Research industry developments or join online forums to learn more about your field of work.

8.  Focus on solutions

Instead of fixating on problems, be the employee who looks for solutions. Proactiveness during challenging times shows initiative and the ability to think out of the box.

9.  Embrace change

The best employees know that everything is temporary. Changes in the workplace can be unsettling at first, but it just means a new order is settling in. Be the employee who embraces change. Take the time to understand where you stand within the new paradigm and use it to your benefit.

10.  Own your mistakes

Along with celebrating your successes, recognise and admit your mistakes. Taking ownership of your mistakes shows integrity and the willingness to grow. Everyone makes mistakes but very few learn from them.

The best employees consider entire ecosystems so they can be the best versions of themselves – teams, managers, multitudes, and inherent self-regulation. The goal is to invest in your own growth and help others along the way, too.