4 Secrets to Creating Value at Work

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Loving your career is hard to do if you’re not creating real value at work. Yet it’s easy to get consumed in our daily work and mile-long to-do lists. It happens to me all the time. And I often need to remind myself to stop and ask, “Is the work I’m doing creating real value for the company?” And by value, I mean the kind of value that is visible and people talk about. The kind of value that makes me proud and confident.

My friend Beth was always the first person to raise her hand and volunteer to stay late. She worked heads-down hard, but it became clear after being passed over for a promotion that her work was invisible. What was missing from her to-do list was a meaty project that drove real value for her company. Creating value for your organization unlocks new opportunities for your career, whether you want to continue growing at your company or are interested in moving in a different direction. This is especially true when you have something tangible that you can talk about or when others can easily see the impact of your work.

So, are you working on at least one initiative that creates meaningful value for your company and gets you the visibility you deserve? Here are four exercises to make sure that you are!

1. What are your company’s biggest goals, and how can you directly impact them? Specifically, think about the areas in which you’re uniquely positioned to make a difference based on your skills, experience, and network.
2. Do you see a new business opportunity you can pitch to your manager? For example, is there a new market or trend to capitalize on or a potential partnership that can accelerate growth? Do you have ideas about a breakthrough product or a new business model?
3. Is there a way for the company/department/team to be more efficient? Do you have an idea to reduce costs? Maybe it’s changing a process in your current role, using new technologies to automate “spreadsheet systems,” or renegotiating vendor terms. This could be an idea that reduces actual costs on the P&L or streamlines processes so that employees are more productive, resulting in greater output.?
4. Is there an existing high-profile project you would like to participate in? Make your case for why you would be a good fit for the team, and share the strengths you bring to the table.

If you’re unsure whether your current work (or your new goal) is value-creating, check in with your manager to ensure you’re on the right track. It’s in their best interest, too, to have their team working on stuff that makes a real impact. ?

P.S. I first wrote about this topic in my book Embrace the Work, Love Your Career , where you’ll find more strategies and exercises to help you create a career you love. #LoveYourCareerBook

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Fran Hauser is a former C-suite executive, startup investor, bestselling author, and keynote speaker. Her first book, The Myth of the Nice Girl , was named the Top Business Book of the Year in 2018 by Audible, and her second book, Embrace the Work, Love Your Career , is quickly becoming the go-to for women seeking more joy and fulfillment in their careers. Full bio and speaking/press inquiries at www.franhauser.com .