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Value Creation and Us

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We, the human race, have a need to create value in the world and be recognized for it in return. Here are 4 keys to creating value in your career:


Assess

Are you consciously putting your best foot forward?  Is your best self on constant display for co-workers?  Are there times your intentions don’t line up with what you actually accomplish?  To assess where you add & create value, you must first review and list the behaviors you display on a regular basis.  Once you have them listed out, you then must begin to eliminate those that are keeping you from doing more or adding value (i.e., social butterfly; although you are popular you must stay late to finish assignments causing you to feel out of balance).  Sometimes it is hard for us to see ourselves how we really are; enlist a trusted (and truthful) co-worker to provide feedback on your behaviors.


Close the Gap

To put value creating behaviors in motion, we must identify what must be accomplished, what we need to do and then do it. It’s not enough to just know what needs to be done, we must act (and quickly)!  When there is no space between what needs to be done and who is actually doing it is when ‘who is the value add’ becomes obvious.


Process


Value Creation
 
  • Make sure to connect what you are doing to why you are doing it
  • Expect distractions and inconveniences, this is real life.  Stuff happens
    Don’t be so focused on the path that you don’t see what is around you, meaning missed opportunities or inability to detour without implosion
  • Align your actions and behaviors with the vision and those that set the vision.  Momentum of concerted effort will accelerate achievement


Communicate

Say exactly what you mean; choose each and every word carefully.  There is an old adage that actions speak louder than words and while that is 100% true, we must remember that our word choice is equally important.  To continue adding value we must communicate what we are doing and get followers.  This means focusing our message on what we want accomplished, as opposed to what we do not want accomplished.  For example; our focus here is ‘how to create value’ as opposed to ‘avoiding distractions’.  Demonstrate your integrity through clear, straight forward communication.  It’s efficient, valuable and will never be confused with “spin.”


Is this helpful? Please let us know in the comments your thoughts on this as well as other ways we can help you with your career and training.

The author, Diahann Boock, is the founder of Women's Ally. For information about working with Diahann, check out our Programs.
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