Understanding Business

If you do not understand your company’s cash flow well, you will never know why you were replaced by someone.  If you don’t understand business, you will not align your interests to that of your firm’s and, thus, miss out on the most valuable growth and learning opportunities.

Promoting Yourself

Invest in learning how to craft a good CV and get short listed for roles. Practice hard for interviews and learn to sell yourself in short interactions. Finally, learn to stand up and advertise yourself and your accomplishments so that rightful credit and resources come to you.

Creating Time

To create time, spend your first 10 minutes to plan your work day. Start your day early, deal with most important tasks first, convert critical tasks into a daily routine, set deadlines, do not multitask and lock yourself into 2-4-hour blocks for completing projects.

Building Connections

The ability to relate to people and build lasting connections is essential for your success. Make a start by reaching out to people you are genuinely interested in. Invest time on find out how you could add value to their lives or careers or progress. Show up for people through simple gestures like wishing them on life events, calling them and meeting them.

Listening With Intention

Listening intently means to respond in such a way that the speaker is encouraged and continues to speak. Suspend your judgement while he is speaking and accord respect to his views even if you ultimately disagree.  Finally, summarize what you hear before you choose to speak.

Taking Decisions

Ask yourself three questions before taking any decision every time: Will it take you a step ahead towards your career goal? Will it enhance your profile? And, finally, will it generate avenues for growth? Then compare the costs of your decision versus the benefits it will generate for your company, team and you.  Your decision making will improve if you take risks, fail and learn from your blunders.