By Published On: March 2nd, 2016Categories: Professional Development

Don’t wait for someone to tell you what to do.  I see way too many people spending time in limbo handicapped by lack of direction. They don’t know the goal, the expectations, the edict from upper management so they wait in a frustrated malaise until someday, somebody, takes the time to notice they are waiting. No good can come from this.

A better way to go is to look around. What needs to be done. What is under your control to do. What could make the situation you are in better. Find out the larger goal and then create your own contribution.

Talk to the people around you and make a plan, then propose the idea to upper management. Chances are with a few tweaks you will receive a very clear direction. Let the powers-to-be edit your goals. Become a power-to-be by creating them.

 

9 Comments

  1. Debbie March 2, 2016 at 4:41 PM

    Great advice! As someone who moved from a support role to an individual contributor, that took some getting used to. Work is not just dictated, you own it yourself.

    • dawnkohler March 2, 2016 at 4:54 PM

      Thank you Debbie! The people that are getting the most done are the ones that are owning it. It also makes work more rewarding. Thanks for the comment. Always good to hear from readers.

  2. Jane March 2, 2016 at 5:04 PM

    Love this advice. Employees take control of your future as Dawn mentions. Present your ideas and watch your work expand. Thanks Dawn.

    • dawnkohler March 2, 2016 at 5:10 PM

      So true!!! And as a boss, there is noting more we love to see than employees who take initiative. We call them high potentials!

  3. Andre March 2, 2016 at 5:14 PM

    Great advice!

  4. Kisha March 2, 2016 at 5:18 PM

    OMG!!!!! Thanks so much for this. It absolutely spoke to my soul today. I feel like I’ve been waiting around for direction from my exec team when what I should have been doing is pushing forward and inviting them along for the ride.

    • dawnkohler March 2, 2016 at 5:21 PM

      Kisha! So well said! Yes manage up with clear information and potential outcomes and it is amazing how your soul and your career will soar. Thanks for being a reader.

  5. Laura Botto May 4, 2017 at 5:38 PM

    Great advice and one that I have incorporated (albeit, not always on a daily basis) as it truly works! Thank you, Dawn, for your encouraging work and positivity!
    Laura Botto

    • Dawn Kohler May 4, 2017 at 5:55 PM

      Thank you Laura for being a reader. It does work and it makes life far more productive!

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