“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self.”
At work, it matters how valuable others perceive us to be. It can determine whether we get that promotion, whether we get laid off, and even how much weight our ideas and opinions are given. This means that finding ways to constantly build up our value and our perceived value is one of the best goals for our work life.
Here are a few ways of making yourself as valuable as you can be.
1. Have an opinion and stick to it
The first thing that adds value is being principled and showing that you have an opinion. This helps you come across as a person with some backbone and with something to add to the conversation.
Now, this doesn’t mean you should never change your mind, but make sure that your opinion is backed up by facts and logic. This will help you remain firm unless there are solid reasons to shift your view of a situation.
2. Be active during group conversations
The second thing you can do is to add value by providing ideas and support during group conversations. Don’t stay silent or focus on your phone. Instead, you should try to stay engaged and offer your ideas.
When you don’t think you have much to contribute, you might focus on elevating other ideas instead, helping the group stay on topic, or encouraging others to speak. This is a good way of showing your value.
3. Never stop improving yourself
You should keep working on yourself. There is always a way to improve something about us and it provides not only added value but also a deeper sense of confidence and satisfaction. You can take one aspect of yourself that you think could be better and set it as a project for the next weeks or months.
Improving your communication, technical skills, dress sense, appearance, and more. See how far you can take each of your skills.
4. Stay up-to-date
No matter which field you’re in, there is always some new development. There are new technologies, new approaches, new knowledge, and more. If you want to be more valuable, you should strive to stay updated on the latest trends and learn new things continuously. This can help you move ahead professionally.
Also, being aware of social and other trends is also useful and important, as it will help you propose new ideas that fit the current cultural climate. For example, if you understand the current focus on social justice and equity, you can better guide the ideas and proposals you make in this direction and provide a new direction for your organization.
5. Add value wherever you are
A useful way of showing your value is to strive and provide value whenever you are. If you are in a meeting, training a colleague, volunteering, or doing anything else, there is probably a way that you can make yourself useful and helpful.
Find it and do it. Not only will it help you feel proud of what you have accomplished, you are more likely to be recognized and seen as someone who always works hard.
6. Be kind to others
Our relationships are a big part of our value. Even the best workers won’t be seen in a positive light if they don’t get along with others. Our relationships, our ability to communicate, and to collaborate with other people are incredibly valuable.
We might have a hard time getting along with everyone, for sure, but one of the best ways to start is through kindness. Helping others and being empathic is a good way of building value through our relationships.
Overall, there are many different ways in which we can make ourselves more valuable. It is a goal that can never be quite achieved; instead, it is a dynamic process that constantly helps us improve, grow, and be better.
It’s not just a matter of being better than others or being more valuable, it also involves discovering your true potential and living up to it, something immensely important and satisfying.
