Andrew’s Podcast: 50 WAYS TO SUCCEED AT WORK

EPISODE 42 (50) HIGH MAINTENANCE - it’s short-sighted to be high maintenance at work

Being hard to manage can be toxic even for people brilliant at their job. Nor will your talent always protect you from losing out on significant opportunities. Being labelled as over-demanding or problematic to work with can damage your prospects. It may place an invisible question mark over your head about your long-term aim of being a success. 
Those responsible for handling challenging behaviour at work say things like:
·        “She spends more time looking for another job than the one we gave her” 
·        “She’s convinced that nothing we do for her is good enough.”
·        “Yes, terrific in the job, but he always acts like he’s indispensable.” Once you acquire a reputation for being high maintenance, people will start avoiding you. At first, you may not notice, but they may even exclude you from events, discussions, or sharing vital information.  
Soon, you're out of the loop because nobody wants to be around someone selfish, complicated, or insensitive.
What are the signs that you might be high maintenance? First, you get by delivering only enough to give others hope that there will be more, but it never comes.
Second, you keep offering up inferior work compared to others. You may not know that right away and assume that all is well. 
A third warning sign is that you keep making mistakes. While forgivable, these force others to keep doing damage limitations due to your deficiencies. Hoping it will get better or not caring will be a poor strategy for success. 
The opposite of being high maintenance is being easy to work with. People gravitate towards you, and new opportunities keep coming your way. There are many small steps you can take to be anti-high maintenance. Andrew lists a few of them in today's podcast, and you can check them out by re-listening it at the website www.50Ways.site.
A takeaway from this : Become aware of what makes a high-maintenance person at work and make sure people find you easy to work with.You'll also learn how to obtain the relevant e-learning mobile unit to consolidate your learning further.All 50 Ways podcasts end with three actions you can take today to do better.COMING SOON!
 Assignment Addict—never refuse an assignment.
Feedback friendly Dealing well with negative feedback.
Pay rise—how to get one and will it make you a success?
Can't wait for Series 2 to run its course? Then buy Andrew's new book, published on Amazon, and there's also an Audio version.Further reading and videos: Andrew recommends some useful follow-through material which you can find for each episode at
www.myhappinessatwork.com/reading/categories/research-reading
and
www.myhappinessatwork.com/watch.BOOK:The 50 Ways to Succeed at Work book is a standalone companion to Andrew Leigh's weekly podcasts. It's an essential resource for all job starters and those at work for a few years. Dip in and out and take what seems helpful.
www.myhappinessatwork.com/book
 

EPISODE 41 (50) GIVER NOT A TAKER - why giving out is more effective than taking out

Andrew starts today's broadcast by explaining that success depends on how you interact with other people.  When you do that, you also have a choice. Do you try to get as much as possible from the connection?  That is, you're a Taker.Or do you contribute value without worrying about what you receive back?  That is, are you a Giver? 
 It’s tempting, says Andrew ,to be a Taker.  As a Taker, you expect to get more than you give.  You are likely to see the world as a competitive, dog-eat-dog place. To succeed, you must excel and prove your competence.
 Naturally, Takers get good at self-promotion and always extract the most credits possible from their efforts.  Nor does this mean you are always entirely selfish.  Instead, you can justify being a Taker as you're merely being cautious and self-protective: “If I don’t look out for myself first, no one else will.”
Next, Andrew asks: Why waste your precious energy on being a Giver or a Taker? You don’t have to become one or the other. There is a third way---to become a Matcher. 
 Matchers keep a balance between giving and getting. What drives them is the principle of fairness. For them, work relationships are a mix of giving and taking. It's an exchange of favours: “You do this, and I’ll do that.”  As a Matcher, when you help others you expect something in return. Being a Giver gives you an excellent chance to reach the top of an organisation.  Yet some Givers become stuck down in the dungeons of an organisation because they always say "yes". 
Their "yes" comes at the expense of their work. It affects their time management, project delivery, communication, and execution in general. 
Instead, it makes more sense to be a Smart Giver. That's someone who thinks about what’s best for the organisation, not just what’s best for you or only for the person asking for help.  All 50 Ways podcasts end with three actions you can take today to do better.COMING SOON!
High Maintenance---being hard to manage at work is short-sighted.
Assignment addict:---never refuse an assignment.
Feedback friendly---dealing well with negative feedback.
Can't wait for Series 2 to run its course? Then buy Andrew's new book, published on Amazon, and there's also an Audio version.Further reading and videos: Andrew recommends some useful follow-through material which you can find for each episode at
www.myhappinessatwork.com/reading/categories/research-reading
and
www.myhappinessatwork.com/watch.BOOK:The 50 Ways to Succeed at Work book is a standalone companion to Andrew Leigh's weekly podcasts. It's an essential resource for all job starters and those at work for a few years. Dip in and out and take what seems helpful.
www.myhappinessatwork.com/book
 

EPISODE 40 (50) HAVING IT YOUR WAY - getting your way may be the wrong way

At work, always demanding to do things your way or getting what you want may damage your long-term prospects says, Andrew.
He explains that is even more true if you become angry, agitated, or downright rude if you fail to get your way.
Whether arguing with someone or making an important choice, most of us like to come out on top. This can have dire career consequences. 
So be cautious about always insisting on people agreeing with you and giving in to your demands. Getting what you want may be the opposite of what you need. 
But if you’re pushy and demanding and in too much of a hurry, you may make bad choices. 
Naturally, there may be a good reason for trying to get what you want at work. 
For example, you believe that your supervisor or colleague has less knowledge about a task than you.  If this sounds familiar, you are in danger of being seen as a “know-all”. 
This doesn’t make you an easy person to work with. A  "my way or the highway" attitude can create discontented colleagues, disgruntled clients, and an unhappy work environment.
Consequently always wanting things your way at work can harm your journey towards success.  So be cautious about always insisting on people agreeing with you and giving in to your demands. 
All 50 Ways podcasts end with three actions you can take today to do better.You'll also learn how to obtain the relevant e-learning mobile unit to consolidate your learning further.COMING SOON!
Giver not a taker—why giving out is more effective than taking out.
High Maintenance: Being hard to manage at work is short-sighted.
Assignment Addict—never refuse an assignment.
Can't wait for Series 2 to run its course? Then buy Andrew's new book, published on Amazon, and there's also an Audio version.Further reading and videos: Andrew recommends some useful follow-through material which you can find for each episode at
www.myhappinessatwork.com/reading/categories/research-reading
and
www.myhappinessatwork.com/watch.BOOK:The 50 Ways to Succeed at Work book is a standalone companion to Andrew Leigh's weekly podcasts. It's an essential resource for all job starters and those at work for a few years. Dip in and out and take what seems helpful.
www.myhappinessatwork.com/book
 

EPISODE 39 (50) ARRIVAL ARTIST - how you turn up makes a more significant difference than you might think

Your mood on arrival, says Andrew, can have a significant effect on your own and other people’s performance that day.
He gives an example of a managing director who realised that he needed to improve his relations with his work colleagues. Yet he struggled to find a way that worked for him, as well as for them. 
When he arrived each day at his office, he walked straight past open doors where people were working. Head down, looking neither left nor right and with head down Jason strode without stopping towards his room at the end of the corridor.
 Hearing this uncomfortable feedback was a shock.  It never occurred to him that how he arrived each morning impacted others. 
Jason took the feedback to heart. He took steps which Andrew describes to change how he interacted with people. It made a big difference and soon people saw him in different light.
Your arrival in the office matters. Being on time, or a little early helps. Even if you work from home, mainly meet colleagues virtually, or have a hybrid work pattern your arrival can still convey mood.It sends a silent message about your commitment or sets a standard that others can emulate. 
 When you arrive at work, take your time to connect with colleagues. Do the minor things, like making eye contact, smiling and asking about their journey. Check whether they need any help. It can do wonders for your reputation. People often come into work harried because they never leave enough time to deal with “home stuff. If you’re commuting, you may have a stressful journey. This is why some people even meditate for ten minutes every morning before doing anything else.
Slow down and take a moment to pause. Create a routine of centring yourself, to arrive both physically and mentally. This approach can work wonders, affecting both you and others. How you treat yourself on arrival can inspire them to do the same. Try to assess your current mood and be aware of its effect on colleagues. Emotional intelligence has the most impact early in the morning.  Like that managing director, make a special effort to adopt a cheerful outlook on arrival. Grab a second or third cup of coffee if that’s what it takes.
Your arrival can set your ‘attitude barometer’ and do it for others too. One morning moan, for instance, can infect an entire team, getting everyone off to a poor start. Mix things up a bit. For example, if you can, choose to sit somewhere different. Gain a fresh perspective. If possible, walk around and be visibl
Can't wait for Series 2 to run its course? Then buy Andrew's new book, published on Amazon, and there's also an Audio version.Further reading and videos: Andrew recommends some useful follow-through material which you can find for each episode at
www.myhappinessatwork.com/reading/categories/research-reading
and
www.myhappinessatwork.com/watch.BOOK:The 50 Ways to Succeed at Work book is a standalone companion to Andrew Leigh's weekly podcasts. It's an essential resource for all job starters and those at work for a few years. Dip in and out and take what seems helpful.
www.myhappinessatwork.com/book
 

EPISODE 38 (50) ACTION HERO - become action-minded, not a plodder

No need to acquire superhero powers says Andrew at the start of this episode. The route forward is almost like having these powers, when you focus on practical action at work.People may call you pro-active or a can-do person, even a leader, if you're something of an Action Hero. Making things happen at work builds your reputation and there's always room to make a difference says,  Andrew.Action Heroes pay great attention to how you're spending your day.  They make every moment count claims Andrew.The opposite of being an Action Hero is someone who inhabits "Someday Island. That's where so many people at work spend their time.  They are always saying I'm going to do that soon or later.What can get in the way of being an Action Here explains Andrew is a lack of confidence, being a perfectionist, confusion over goals, and a paralysis of analysis.Trust your gut says Andrew as to what action to pursue. Do this by paying attention to the feeling about the work--unhappy, disgusted, bored, uninspired, confused and so on.Being Action-Minded also means paying close attention to whether decisions are implemented. Is there execution? Andrew offers suggestions that you can try as part of being an Action Hero. You can see them listed in the Transcript. He ends the podcast with three action points you can take immediately.Why not listen to the Podcast again to get a firmer feel for follow-through action at www.50Ways.siteYou'll also learn how to obtain the relevant e-learning mobile unit to consolidate your learning further.All 50 Ways podcasts end with three actions you can take today to do better.COMING SOON!
Doing it your way: Getting your way may be the wrong way 
Stop the Sloppy: No sense in gaining the wrong sort of reputation.
High Maintenance: Being hard to manage at work is short-sighted.
Can't wait for Series 2 to run its course? Then buy Andrew's new book, published on Amazon, and there's also an Audio version.Further reading and videos: Andrew recommends some useful follow-through material which you can find for each episode at
www.myhappinessatwork.com/reading/categories/research-reading
and
www.myhappinessatwork.com/watch.BOOK:The 50 Ways to Succeed at Work book is a standalone companion to Andrew Leigh's weekly podcasts. It's an essential resource for all job starters and those at work for a few years. Dip in and out and take what seems helpful.
www.myhappinessatwork.com/book
 

EPISODE 37 (50) THE EXTRA MILE - how exceeding expectations works wonders

Andrew offers examples of what it means to go the extra mile.  He explains that to be an extra-miler, you will:  1) assist colleagues with tasks; or2) make suggestions for how to move forwardAndrew says that you're not paid just to turn up to work.  An organization needs people committed to its values and willing to go the extra mile to support its aims.While going the extra mile is an opportunity, make sure it does not become a threat, warns Andrew. For example, pushing you to overwork or take excessive risks.He urges you to assess the opportunities created by going the extra mile and whether it is worth it.One benefit of going the extra mile is that it can help you to feel better about yourself, creating a sense of purpose in your working life. Similarly, it may improve your knowledge and connection with your organization's aims. He ends the podcast with three action points you can take immediately.Why not listen to the Podcast again to get a firmer feel for follow-through action at www.50Ways.siteYou'll also learn how to obtain the relevant e-learning mobile unit to consolidate your learning further.All 50 Ways podcasts end with three actions you can take today to do better.COMING SOON!
Tackle Trivia: Just because you’re smart you can’t avoid the trivial.
List Lover: You’ll never remember everything; learn to love your to-do list.
No Doormat: Why “no” can be as important as saying “yes.
Can't wait for Series 2 to run its course? Then buy Andrew's new book, published on Amazon, and there's also an Audio version.Further reading and videos: Andrew recommends some useful follow-through material which you can find for each episode at
www.myhappinessatwork.com/reading/categories/research-reading
and
www.myhappinessatwork.com/watch.BOOK:The 50 Ways to Succeed at Work book is a standalone companion to Andrew Leigh's weekly podcasts. It's an essential resource for all job starters and those at work for a few years. Dip in and out and take what seems helpful.
www.myhappinessatwork.com/book
 

EPISODE 36 (50) CRITIC CONQUEROR - manage criticism and come up smiling

Around one in three people say they’ve been spoken to at work in an abusive way. 
While you can report anything extreme, such as racial and sexual harassment, how do you rise above the more ordinary forms of criticism and come up smiling?
In this episode, says Andrew, there may be some situations at work when criticism will press all your buttons. That's when your mind switches to what’s called the reptilian brain.  This is your survival mode.It's your fight and flight reaction and it can be hard to master it on the spot. Even if you do what you usually know works such as taking a deep breath to steady your nerves. Now the danger is that you react badly too. 
You may become angry, defensive and deaf to any further rational communication.  Or you revert to child-like reactions such as becoming tearful and apologetic. Or perhaps a feeling of being helpless. Neither state does much good for your aim of being a success at work.
Andrew shows there are two practical ways of responding that return more control of the situation to you and how you feel inside.  The first is to say nothing and listen. 
You wait until the criticism downpour ends. Then you ask a simple question in a friendly or neutral way:“What exactly is wrong? Can you be more specific? Please give me some examples of what concerns you.”
 Use the person’s name and thank them for pointing out the apparent flaws in your work.  
The other approach is to stay silent.  This uses the power of silence and you can learn more about this from last week's episode 35:  Silent Sentinel - using silence to make an impact at work  
Depending on how serious the criticism you can choose to give the other person a long look and try to see them now, not as a supervisor, manager, boss or colleague. Instead, you now view the person as playing the part of a critical parent.  They are treating you as a child, which is disrespectful and potentially harmful to your future relationship.Hurt pride may tempt you into making light of their complaint. You may begin replaying the conversation repeatedly in your mind. You wish that you’d said something different at the time. This only distracts you from the lesson you could learn from the experience.
Treat it as a gift if someone gives you the thumbs down about some work.  No matter the form of the criticism, it seems that the person was interested enough to demand change and help you to grow. Had they wanted to harm you, they could have spotted y
Can't wait for Series 2 to run its course? Then buy Andrew's new book, published on Amazon, and there's also an Audio version.Further reading and videos: Andrew recommends some useful follow-through material which you can find for each episode at
www.myhappinessatwork.com/reading/categories/research-reading
and
www.myhappinessatwork.com/watch.BOOK:The 50 Ways to Succeed at Work book is a standalone companion to Andrew Leigh's weekly podcasts. It's an essential resource for all job starters and those at work for a few years. Dip in and out and take what seems helpful.
www.myhappinessatwork.com/book
 

EPISODE 35 (50) Silent Sentinel - using silence to make an impact at work

Silence may be golden, but in this episode  35,  Andrew deals with the pros and cons of speaking up on complex issues or remaining silent.He raises the critical issue of when it pays to be silent at work. He names six situations where this makes sense. Visit the Podcast Web site (www.50Ways.site) and read them in the Transcript. It's vital to deal with these tricky situations, says Andrew, without triggering a defensive reaction from others.  He offers ways of doing that described fully in the Transcripts on the website.Silence, though often undesirable at work, can also be a powerful weapon that you can adopt.  For example, success at work seldom comes from constantly pushing yourself forward in front of the queue to speak.Another valid remaining staying silent is sharing your hopes and goals pushes your brain  into thinking, "I've already done that." This can lead you to give up and not pursue these aims.Next, Andrew talks about  The Ransberger Pivot, about how to win an argument by not arguing.  This is a technique for listening and finding common ground with the other person.Andrew, as usual, ends the Podcast by suggesting three actions you can adopt to use silence well at work.All 50 Ways podcasts end with three actions you can take today to do better.COMING SOON!
The Extra Mile: How exceeding expectations works wonders.
Action Hero—become action-minded, not a plodder 
Arrival artist: How you turn up makes a more significant difference than you think.
Don't miss these important success topics due out over the next few weeks.DISCOVER!
Definitive, carefully researched articles on this topic 
Access the full audio transcript
Discover the specially created e-learning units based on the Podcasts.
Participate in the Forum where you can ask questions about this Podcast or raise issues about work and receive answers. 
 SHOW NOTEThe Ransberger Pivot: How to Win an Argument by Not Arguing, https://www.rapidstartleadership.com/ransberger-pivot
Can't wait for Series 2 to run its course? Then buy Andrew's new book, published on Amazon, and there's also an Audio version.Further reading and videos: Andrew recommends some useful follow-through material which you can find for each episode at
www.myhappinessatwork.com/reading/categories/research-reading
and
www.myhappinessatwork.com/watch.BOOK:The 50 Ways to Succeed at Work book is a standalone companion to Andrew Leigh's weekly podcasts. It's an essential resource for all job starters and those at work for a few years. Dip in and out and take what seems helpful.
www.myhappinessatwork.com/book
 

EPISODE 34 (50) LIST LOVER - you’ll never remember everything; learn to love your to-do list

Andrew explains at the start of this latest Podcast why a list can help you succeed at work. The main reason is that it can help you focus and not carry too much in your head.
If you’re relatively new to the work scene, you may regard your list as a lifesaver. 
If so, says Andrew, resist the temptation to expect it to keep track of absolutely everything you should be doing. That way, your list may die as a valuable tool, carrying too great a burden.
Make your list earn its passage by breaking projects into smaller tasks. Too many of these, though, can cause an unwelcome brain effect. This mental state nags us more about our unfinished tasks than completed ones. 
Incomplete tasks cause stressful, intrusive thoughts, he explains. They reduce sleep and deplete mental and emotional resources. It may even cause behavioural problems. Unfinished tasks also damage your self-image. Over a prolonged period, they can make you feel like a failure. To counter bad list effects, prune yours to within an inch of its life. Review your current list if you have one. Andrew asks: Is it overflowing with things to do? Will you be able to complete them all? If you struggle to finish your tasks, revise, and be more realistic.
Your to-do list can be infinite. The trouble is your time is not. Match the tasks against your available time and energy. This is where prioritising is so important. 
 There's a lot to take in from this Podcast. . Consider a second or third hearing at the Podcast site  https://www.50Ways.site.You'll also learn how to obtain the relevant e-learning mobile unit to consolidate your learning further.All 50 Ways podcasts end with three actions you can take today to do better.COMING SOON!
No Doormat: Why “no” can be as important as saying “yes!”
Personalise: How to manage criticism and come up smiling
The Extra Mile: How exceeding expectations works wonders.
Can't wait for Series 2 to run its course? Then buy Andrew's new book, published on Amazon, and there's also an Audio version.Further reading and videos: Andrew recommends some useful follow-through material which you can find for each episode at
www.myhappinessatwork.com/reading/categories/research-reading
and
www.myhappinessatwork.com/watch.BOOK:The 50 Ways to Succeed at Work book is a standalone companion to Andrew Leigh's weekly podcasts. It's an essential resource for all job starters and those at work for a few years. Dip in and out and take what seems helpful.
www.myhappinessatwork.com/book
 

EPISODE 33 (50) TACKLE TRIVIA - just because you’re smart, you can’t avoid your fair share of trivia

Many jobs require attention to detail, says Andrew and you may need some practice to develop rigorous attention to what is trivia and what is not.He lists at least five ways to do that with 
Organizational skills
Time management skills
 Analytical skills
Observational skills
Active listening skills
If you're good with detail employers will come to regard you as precise, careful and conscientious.  Protesting "I'm really bad at detail" is not an excuse it's a copout.  It just reveals you can't be bothered.Consequently, your supervisor, teammates and those around you soon stop relying on you for accuracy or trusting you to do a thorough job. Andrew says that the brighter you are the more you may resent dealing with what to you seems trivia. But one person's trivia may turn out to be another's mission-critical decision. There's a good story in the Podcast about what that meant for a NASA space probe costing billions.At your level, you will probably need to accept that you'll need to deal with some trivia.  Moaning about it risks you being labelled as unwilling to do your share of the boring bits of work. Most organizations though spend far too much time and effort on trivia. As part of using your analytical skills, you can choose your moment to politely suggest "perhaps we're missing the bigger picture here"Tackling trivia can fill your day and prove to be soul-destroying. It can also be a great way to waste time and procrastinate. Learning to deal with it can enhance your search for success at work.There's a lot to take in from this Podcast. . Consider a second or third hearing at the Podcast site  https://www.50Ways.site.You'll also learn how to obtain the relevant e-learning mobile unit to consolidate your learning further.All 50 Ways podcasts end with three actions you can take today to do better.COMING SOON!
Tackle Trivia: Just because you’re smart you can’t avoid the trivial.
List Lover: You’ll never remember everything; learn to love your to-do list.
No Doormat: Why “no” can be as important as saying “yes
Can't wait for Series 2 to run its course? Then buy Andrew's new book, published on Amazon, and there's also an Audio version.Further reading and videos: Andrew recommends some useful follow-through material which you can find for each episode at
www.myhappinessatwork.com/reading/categories/research-reading
and
www.myhappinessatwork.com/watch.BOOK:The 50 Ways to Succeed at Work book is a standalone companion to Andrew Leigh's weekly podcasts. It's an essential resource for all job starters and those at work for a few years. Dip in and out and take what seems helpful.
www.myhappinessatwork.com/book