Are You Adding Value?
posted in World of Work |Whether you are the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, the janitor at the local high school or a stay-at-home Mom, if you have a job (I consider being a stay-at-home mom a job), you have been given the opportunity to work. And I do mean opportunity.
Opportunity is defined as “a chance, especially one that offers an advantage” (MSN Encarta). Working definitely offers advantages. Aside from the obvious financial benefit that comes from a job, work offers the opportunity to use, improve and gain valuable skills. It also opens doors for relationships, education and independence, among other things.
So my question is this … what value are you adding to your work? What are you bringing to your job that no one else offers? Are you coming to work with a good attitude, ready to pitch in where needed? Or are you looking at your job as a necessary evil?
If you are one of the fortunate ones who has a job (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics 6.8 million people in our country do not), whether or not it is ideal, I propose that you are able to make it better just by changing your attitude towards what you do. Not only does a good attitude help in your outlook on completing the basic tasks required, but it also impacts every person with whom you come in contact.
I’ve posted examples of this before, but a recent interaction sticks out in my mind. My daughter and I were at the airport (she was flying as an unaccompanied minor) and after she boarded the plane I watched the ticket agent as he scanned each passenger’s boarding pass. At the end of the line was a young couple with an infant. The couple looked a bit frazzled as they were gathering their belongings.
As the ticket agent was handed their passes he exchanged pleasantries with the couple. I could not hear their conversation, but within seconds the couple’s eyes lit up as they were thanking the agent profusely. I watched their interaction and realized the agent had upgraded the family to first class, without charge.
Just as the doors to the boarding area were getting ready to close, a businessman came hurriedly up to the agent. He handed in his boarding pass and walked quickly down the ramp. The agent called him back (I stood a bit closer so I could hear the conversation this time.) and asked if he’d prefer not to sit in a middle seat. The agent said he could change the seat assignment so the man would be able to sit in a row by himself. The man was elated.
Neither of these activities caused the ticket agent an extreme amount of additional work, but both blessed others as they were starting their day. Just by being attentive and willing to make changes, the agent added value to his job and to the airline for which he works. I imagine the young family and the businessman alike will consider flying this airline on their next trip. I know I will.
Choose a Better Life by looking for ways you can add value to your work.