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By. Dr. Sabrina Brandon Ricks, SBR Workplace Leadership Services
Many have come to find over recent years that resolutions do not seem to work, therefore more people are focused on the best ways to create solid and positive change in one’s life beyond just a simple resolution that one may see through for one month. Commitment can seem like a scary word to many, but how can you create new commitments to yourself that you can see through the entire year and truly for the rest of your life?
Taking it a step further, in the workplace, new year’s commitments can seem mundane and typical. Of course, any company owner and/or leader wants to meet goals, make more money, and keep up with technology and trends. These are certainly desires that last all year around. This year, consider what you personally bring to the workplace and consider being a better employee overall. How? Here are a few ideas to consider:
Personality Flip
If you’re normally introverted, try to contribute more to meetings. When there are brainstorming sessions, share the new idea you have been holding on to or too scared to bring up. You may be surprised to find that everyone thinks it is a good idea. If you’re extroverted, try to give those who are introverted more opportunities to share. Try the method of allowing one to two people to share before you before you jump in. It can sometimes be intimidating to quiet people when one extroverted person takes the floor for most of the meeting.
Although the introvert may have wanted to share, since the extrovert took so much time and attention, they may simply choose to keep their thoughts to themselves. This impacts how successful a company could really be. One person will not have all the best ideas all the time. Share the wealth of knowledge.
More Support
Who would greatly appreciate an extra set of hands or eyes on something? Are there additional ways you could help colleagues and show that you appreciate them? Try approaching a colleague at the start of a work day and asking how you might be of service. Ask them what they need help with an what you can specifically do to help. As Dr. Paul White, from the Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace book will confirm, acts of service may go further than you realize for individuals who really desire this type of support.
Convenience of Teamwork
Instead of making decisions about the next meeting or retreat without consulting the team, get ideas or even take a vote about if the next meeting should be in-person or remote. Where should the next work retreat be located? Get ideas from everyone that might keep it more convenient for the team as well. Is it really convenient for employees to commute as far as an hour each way for an in-person meeting that is only an hour? This time would have been better spent as a remote meeting where the employee could complete work during the two hours they would have spent in a vehicle driving to and from that one-hour meeting. You also may get more introverted workers to share in the chat box or on collaborative platforms in remote meetings than you would in in-person meetings.
Technology
Are you familiar with some of the new technology that was introduced in 2023 such as artificial intelligence (AI)? If not, it would behoove you to complete some research about it. You may want to consider attending a webinar or training about offerings concerning advances in technology and ways to utilize artificial intelligence in the workplace because guess what? Your competition is already using the newest technology. You may want to train your entire team if there will be some changes that will impact operations in your workplace. It is best to move with changes in technology to avoid being left behind which historically leads to shut downs and bankruptcies.
Education
With advancements in technology, some fields will have less demand than others. For example, in the near future, human employees in airports will not have the same necessity. You will find more artificial intelligence in the airport setting. Is there a new area of expertise that may be of interest to you that will continue to grow despite advances in technology? Consider areas where AI will be least likely to permeate such as healthcare. What can you do to stay relevant in your field? This will be a consideration for many in 2024 and maybe a new area of commitment.
As with any new year, 2024 will be a year of continued change, new areas of excitement, new challenges, and new obstacles. Commit yourself to getting ready for all the year may have to bring your way. If you are the best version of yourself, you will be equipped to handle any challenge that may come your way. This is your year to “be the change you wish to see in the world” (Mahatma Gandhi). It is easy to complain, but can you be the difference, make the difference, and live the difference for the betterment of society? You can. Be it in 2024.
Contact SBR Workplace Leadership Services for additional training topics related commitment in the workplace. Also, contact SBR if you need a consultant to design customized sessions for your organization regarding other topics. Happy New Year!
