Newsroom

Revealing Your Personal Power in the Workplace

By Wendy J. Terwelp, CCMC, JCTC, CPBS

1. Treasure Hunt

1. Ask 5 people you trust to tell you what they think your greatest professional strengths are, and then ask them what they think your natural gifts are.
2. Do your professional strengths match your natural talents? Find a way to integrate them both into what you do for a living.

2. Develop a “Me File”

1. If you’re employed, start tracking your achievements, kudos from your superiors, projects you’ve worked on, ideas you’ve generated into fruition, programs you’re proud of, employees you’ve developed into leadership roles, and more. This will aid you’re next performance evaluation, next promotion or next career.
2. If you’re not currently employed and seeking to return to the workforce, start tracking your volunteer achievements, leadership roles, fundraising events, and related activities. These can turn into valuable, marketable skills for your job search.

3. Get Paid What You’re Worth

1. Do your homework on your company.
2. Find out about your company’s competition.
3. Keep track of your achievements and overtime hours.
4. When documenting, be specific. List results.
5. When the performance review is set, let your boss talk first.
6. Present your case diplomatically.
7. Don’t take maybe for an answer.
8. When given a time/date for the raise or “consideration” to kick in, follow up.

4. Acknowledge co-workers, customers, etc. positively for their contributions.

1. Go deeper with your compliment, instead of “Great job!” Try, “Your enthusiasm and positive comments will be an excellent contribution to our project.”

5. Have solutions prepared BEFORE you talk to your boss about a problem.

6. In staff meetings, actively participate, take notes, listen closely, provide ideas or solutions, and ask questions.

7. Build your personal brand and your internal networks.

1. Who needs to know about you? Communicate your value in a positive, authentic way.

8. Smile when you speak on the telephone so the caller can hear the enthusiasm in your voice.

9. Dress professionally and carry yourself with confidence.

10. Develop your own personal sound bite (a 30-second commercial about yourself and/or your business) to use when networking or meeting new people.

11. Always communicate positively, powerfully, clearly, and concisely.

---

© 2002—2008 · All rights reserved.
Wendy J. Terwelp, Opportunity Knocks™