What You Can Do

If you want to be one of the talented individuals that your Organisation wants to keep, here are some key things to consider:

1. Be positive in your approach

No one wants to be surrounded by miserable naysayers. Make sure that you get noticed for the right reasons! Be positive in your approach to your role and your colleagues. Make a determination to enjoy a different aspect of your role every single day and publicise it. Have fun, but with a serious intent to get the job done in the best possible way. Nothing is more infectious than an enthusiastic co-worker – and no one gets noticed more!

2. Engage with your direct reports, peers, and Managers

Become the "go-to" person. If a problem needs sorting out, if a solution needs finding or if someone wants a sanity check, make sure that you are the person at the top of that list. Remember the old adage "you don't know who you will meet on the way back down" and treat people as you would like to be treated – irrespective of their role within the organisation. Choose to become a team player and get involved in things – the latest sales drive, implementation of new software or a customer service initiative. Every organisation needs reliable, dependable people that relish supporting others in times of difficulty.

3. Be pro-active

Actively seek out situations where you can be of service – whether it's being the "go for", coming up with great ideas, or simply reviewing systems and processes to help support identification of efficiencies which will make life easier for others. If possible, seek out coaching to develop your potential and identify a mentor to support you in your career aspirations. Not only will you raise your own profile, but, you will increase your knowledge of the way in which the organisation runs, how senior management function and discover other ways in which you can make a positive impact.

4. Seek opportunities to develop your potential

Wherever possible, put yourself forward. Whether it be for working parties, project teams, volunteering initiatives or just the end of year stock taking; by putting yourself forward you are getting noticed and adding to your skills and experience. Take every opportunity to attend workshops, training course and conferences in your industry sector. At your annual appraisal and interim one-to-ones make it clear that you are in it for the long haul and want to develop your potential within this organisation. When given a project to work on, give it 100% and have a clear expectation of what you want to gain from whole the experience and understand how that will impact on your role within the organisation in the future.

5. Evaluate and Measure

Know your KPI's, and make sure you do something towards achieving them every day. Measure your own performance on a regular basis – it should never happen that someone else points out that you are falling short of your targets! Make your appraisal an opportunity to really stretch yourself by setting challenging objectives and then seek to overachieve them. Be clear in your own mind about where you want to be on your career progression and work towards the key milestones you have set. Check in with your line Manager, your peers and your team that you are performing to the best of your ability at all times.

Author: Jeannette Marshall