5 work resolutions to keep this year
Ready to tackle your professional goals for 2010? Here are five resolutions to make and keep to enhance your work productivity.
Network more—and smarter
We all know that building networks is a part of almost any job. But many of us muddle through the cheap wine and cheap cheese events only to come away with a sense of futility.
Our key tip for networking in 2010? Follow through on the connections you do make—in traditional ways, like making a phone call or sending a note (email is fine, but make it relevant). Don't rely on the new, quick social networking tools like LinkedIn or Twitter to do this important job for you—or to distract you from getting the job done.
Check out more networking tips: How to network—for real.
Delegate like a man
Last year I was privileged to attend a forum discussing how to help Canadian women succeed economically. Out of all the topics covered, this comment stayed with me: Women focus on doing the job, and men focus on getting the job done.
While this statement obviously makes some broad stereotypical assumptions, I have to admit that it's come to mind several times as I've found myself micromanaging a task or choosing just to do it myself because I'm reluctant to drop it on someone at short notice. While I'm not completely convinced this is a sex-linked trait, I take the point: Once we reach a certain stage in our careers it really is more about results than process. Resolve to use the staff around you in order to get the best outcome, and then:
- Focus on communicating expectations and following up rather than actually producing the work yourself
- Get to know your staff's strengths and weaknesses to assign work appropriately (for example, let the best grammarian proofread)
- Leave the guilt at home
- Share the credit and be thankful—not only does it ensure people will continue to produce for you, it speaks to your confidence as a leader
