ARE YOU PURPOSE DRIVEN?

WHAT SETS YOU APART AS AN EMPLOYEE THROUGH CHANGE?

There seems to be a constant unrest in the workforce from mergers and acquisitions, reframing organizations, regulation changes, to leadership transformations. As an employee you can set yourself apart from your colleagues and advance your career by focusing on these four skillsets.

1. Teamwork and Collaboration - By interacting and collaborating with your coworkers, the organization will have more growth and success. As a team, everyone has a different skill set they bring to the table.

2. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving - It allows you to use your knowledge, facts, and data to effectively solve problems.

3. Passion - Being motivated through your desire for your pursuit of what ignites your fire, connecting with others, and making an impact, not only in the workforce, but also the community.

4. Professionalism & Strong Work Ethic - As it will portray integrity, accountability and positive behavior. Having the ability to take initiative and maintain positive work habits to ensure growth both personally and professionally.

WHAT DO LEADERS LOOK FOR IN EMPLOYEES DURING CHANGE?

Change is important for any and all businesses to stay relevant and to keep up with the competition. As an employee, it is vital to be able to pivot and adapt to changes so you too can feel confident promoting the company successes. Leaders look for those employees who also portray leadership skills during this stage of change to help "rally the troops" as they say and make sure all their colleagues are on board as well. Per the website Indeed here are five tips that you can do as an employee to set yourself up for success and show leadership that you are in in for the long haul:

1. Be Open and Honest about your Concerns - By being open and honest you are showing your leader that you are in in for the long haul. You have commitment to both the change and the company.

2. Practice Positive Thinking - By keeping a positive outlook it can help influence your role within the company. Keep the "glass half full" mentality.

3. Communicate - There is no reason to become a hermit in the corner. That will not get you growth; it will only help you see your way out the door quicker. Communicate with your leaders. It shows you are ready and willing to adapt to the change.

4. Ask Questions - This change is new to EVERYONE and sometimes asking questions allows others to think of angles that haven't been assessed before. It will also help you have a better understanding for what is to come.

5. Help your Coworkers Adapt to Change - Once you have a handle on what the changes are and how they will affect you and also your colleagues, link arms with them to put these changes in place.

WHAT I DID TO SET MYSELF APART FROM OTHERS DURING ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE?

YOU were born to stand out is something my parents told me all the time! The journey to self-discovery isn’t always easy! I can state for a fact that there is pain involved when you have to shut out the external noises, embrace the solitude and craft your unique voice. It is not particularly fun!

My organization went through a major acquisition a few years ago which meant that what we used to know and do was no longer. We had different goals, location, owners, processes and platforms. It was like completely starting over building the new "brand" from the ground up. So many of our current customers started to suffer as their contacts in the company did not embrace the change. Therefore their customers they were servicing were taking the hit, in turn, taking their business elsewhere. For me, failing was not an option. I had a lot on my plate and I NEEDED my job for medical and financial reasons! So, after I would put my daughter to bed and finished whatever homework I assigned to myself for the night for school, I also assigned myself homework for work. I need to learn and understand parts of the changes that had been put in place in my organization. I did this for a constant three weeks until I was fully confident in the changes. I also wrote down questions that didn't make sense to me to ask my current leader. I did not clock in for these extra hours of "studying". This was what I saw I needed to do to show my leaders that I have passion for the purpose of my employment. I also have passion for my customers as their end game relies on my expertise in marketing to make sure they are keeping up with their ever changing market as well.

My manager did not let my drive go unnoticed. He was very vocal about his appreciation for my learning and adapting to the new change. He created a new role for me in the Learning and Development sector to help others pivot and adapt to change, as well as learn the ins and outs of the new platforms.

When your passion and purpose are greater than your fears and excuses, you will find a way! - Unknown