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Special Focus
Published December 6, 2011
SME INC
COMMENTARY
How to be in the top 10%
Here are some tips for employees who want to swim ahead of the rest in the ocean
By PAUL HENG
USING the bell-shaped distribution curve, there are generally three groups of employees in an organisation. The top 10 per cent of high fliers, the bottom 10 per cent of 'limited contributors', and the remaining 80 per cent of solid citizens.
If you think you belong to the top 10 per cent - well, you don't. You will know when you are there - you don't have to think. How? The quantum of your bonuses, consistently for the past three years could be one factor, and oh, yes, the frequency of your engagement with the decision makers, and how often your views are sought. If you are in the bottom 10 per cent, maybe you should be asking yourself, 'Why am I here? And what do I want to do about it?' The signs: similar to the above but on the opposite end of the spectrum.
Decision makers typically decide who they promote based on three key factors. Past performance, future potential and the ability to get along well with others. We often read in the media of individuals being promoted to assume higher levels of responsibilities in the C-suite. And we also often wonder, why did they decide on this person? I am not a betting man, but I will take a side bet to say it is based on the three factors I've highlighted. In terms of weightage, I would say that it would be potential, getting along with others, and then past performance.
If you are in the 80 per cent ocean, and want to swim ahead and be at the top 5 per cent of this huge group, here's some basic tips to set you thinking so you have a better chance of getting yourself into the top 10 per cent.
Ask for more
On an on-going basis, ask for additional work and responsibilities from your boss. As I always say, few good things in life come easily. 'More' here means you have to give more of yourself - your time, your energy, etc to be able to attain the additional corporate goals. Another adage for you - in life, you inevitably have to endure short-term pain and inconveniences for long-term gain.
Adding more things onto your plate is a two-way street - you get to contribute more to your team, and at the same time, you acquire additional knowledge and skills, which will serve you well as you progress up the corporate ladder.
I always struggle with which is more important, working smart or working hard. In my generation (Baby Boomers), it was mostly the former that took precedence. I've since come to the conclusion that it is a combination of both, with hard work being more important to success. Almost every successful SME-owner/entrepreneur will probably confirm this. Doing more is therefore a good thing.
Read and network a lot more
Staying on top of developments and changes in your industry is imperative to career progression. Some industries can be more challenging than others as they tend to change and evolve more rapidly - the technology sector comes easily to mind here.
If you happen to be performing a business functional role, it is critical that you be updated on the latest cutting-edge thinking and development as well, for example, Basel III (banking and finance) and reverse mentoring (talent development).
Focus on your job, and within your organisation as these are important. But, do not stop there. Allocate time and be disciplined about reading up on your industry, new developments, changes within leadership teams, etc. Another avenue to do this, plus get to meet more people is to be purposeful in attending events that allow you to network with others. Getting to know more people, and getting yourself known by others is so important these days. As they say, it is important that you know people, but absolutely critical that people know you.
Hearty appetite for embracing change and technology
If there is a word equivalent for something as universal as food for survival, that would be 'change'. If you are already comfortable with change - work towards embracing, and maybe even be an initiator of change - a change agent.
Changes keep the world revolving, and help us do things better, faster, quicker, and cheaper (just borrowing your words, Mr Lim Swee Say, thanks!).
Effective leaders accept that technology in business is here to stay. For our current Gen Y's, and future Gen Z's - this should be an easier thing to achieve as you all grew up with technology as your playmate. For the rest of us, well, we just have to try a little bit harder.
Be visible, audible and mobile
It does not really make much sense if you are a fabulous contributor, taking on extra responsibilities, and doing everything I've written about here, and no one knows about it, right? In the same breath, I hasten to add that it also does not mean that you should blow your own trumpet anywhere, and everywhere.
Innocently copying in your bosses on an e-mail which contains information on your surpassing the revenue target, for example, would be a clever way of keeping yourself within the radar screen.
Volunteering to do a management presentation, or chairing a business discussion forum, when it is appropriate, could be a platform for you to be heard (and known) by people who matter. Needless to say, you have to really prepare yourself well so your 'performance' is close to being flawless.
If you can write and speak well, seek platforms to represent your business in public speaking engagements - as an industry expert and practitioner, and/or contribute your views via the media. When you speak or write on a particular topic, for example, supply chain management, or for my reporter friends, how to get a scoop, people perceive you as an expert in that space. This will earn you career mileage, both within and outside your employing organisation.
Just during a networking lunch recently, I learnt that one of my clients is leaving soon to take up a posting in the Hague in the Netherlands - and if you really must ask, yes, he is a Singaporean and has a family. Increasingly, companies are looking for top tier talented people who are not just globally focused, but have in their resumes, a couple of overseas postings.
During my corporate days, the main concern for Singaporeans was their children's education - or to be specific, the lack of reasonable schooling facilities in overseas countries. Well, changes have taken place - it is now relatively easy to find good schools abroad, and the bonus is that your children will benefit a lot from living and schooling in another country - you have to take my word on this one, as I have personal experience here.
Wow, these are wonderful ideas to begin some serious thinking with, you say, but how and where do I find the time to do all this? I am already so busy. Quite easy, really - I have the answers for you. Just like personal hygiene, for example, brushing your teeth at least twice a day, why is it that you do it easily? Two reasons. One - you allocate time within your 24-hour day to do it because maintaining good personal hygiene is important. Secondly, you do it without even planning to do so as, over the years, it has become a matter of habit. So, no more excuses.
The writer is founder/executive coach at NeXT Corporate Coaching Services
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