Best Practices to Outperform Your Colleagues

[This article is also featured on episode 72 of the Business Wingmen Podcast Show]

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Successful performance is everything!?Our ability to execute at work is something we as professionals need to strive towards every day, yet many of our colleagues seem to have forgotten this time-tested reality of business.?As Rory Vaden, bestselling business author and leadership speaker, accurately shares...

“success is not owned, it is rented - and that rent is due everyday".

Vaden hits on a key piece which would serve all of us well to keep in mind as we come to work - our ability to successfully perform our job is what keeps us gainfully employed.?I’ll take it a step further, what got us the job was our credentials, the things we’ve done in the past.?What keeps us in the job thereafter is 100% our ability to get things done – the things that matter to the company and our respective performance.?

The same is certainly true in the consulting world, frankly I would argue it’s even more focused on performance and execution than a normal 8-5 full-time job is.?The world of consulting can be summed up in 3 words: execute, execute, execute!?Anything less and you’ve missed the mark.

Consultants, like many of our fully employed brethren, has a tendency to forget the reason they are there, the reason they have a job – it’s to fix, solve and solution other peoples’ problems.?Our inability to do this will inevitably lead to a consultant, or consulting firm, finding themselves unemployed or not getting asked back to continue supporting their customers. It’s for these reasons we need to employ the below five ‘best practices’ in our daily work.?Your ability to do so will do two things – help keep you focused on what matters (successful execution of your task or job) while separating yourself from the competition and or your colleagues.??

Best Practice #1 – Proactive Communication

If you’ve ever had some one say to you, especially someone in management, “can you give me an update on where you’re at with X”, you’ve just failed the first lesson of communication.?Professionals who operate at a high level understand the importance of fluid and consistent communication.?They know it’s important to communicate proactively, ahead of time.?They don’t wait until the last minute to spring an urgent matter on the team or their boss, they don’t procrastinate, and they certainly don’t wait to inform those around them they are going to miss a deadline the day the deadline is due.?Proactive communication is all about respecting the process and those around you.?

Best Practice #2 – Positive Mindset

The beautiful thing about the way our minds work is we have an incredible amount of power over most of what happens in our heads.?In particular, our outlook on things, our attitude, is 100% within our control.?If we show up to work with a bad attitude, closed to others ideas, not welcoming feedback and or unwilling to collaborate with others we quickly will build a reputation as a person on the fringes.?There’s no quicker way to alienate oneself from a team or your boss than by having a poor attitude.?Yes, we all have our bad days – it happens even to the best of us.?What’s important is to have your moment and then move on.?Focus on what you can control and be open to ideas, different approaches and perspectives.?An open and positive mindset is contagious causing your colleagues to feel invigorated working with those of us who can come to the table and leave the sourness at the door.?Positive thinking also boosts our health by reducing stress!

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