We want passion for our business.. Workers who can interpret and execute our mission, who want to build a career, not just take a temporary job.
            —Howard Schultz.

To be a performing employee is being a good employee first.  In my experience for over a decade and half now, I have seen different shapes, sizes and colours of employees. You may wonder - ‘Shapes, sizes and colours?’ Yes, varieties of people who are different in thought, attitude and perception towards work and life. We often, complain that there is no system; there is nothing okay in our workplace.

How many of us have actually had introspection whether we are systematic and okay? As individuals, we need to do that first. The following questionnaire from Illinois Department of Employment Security asks the questions to an employee. The questionnaire is titled ‘Re-entry Employment Service Program’ - Are you a good employee?
Can you say the following about yourself?

1. I dress neatly and am well groomed.
2. I follow the rules.
3. I take responsibility for my mistakes.
4. I am considerate of others.
5. I work to develop speaking and listening skills.
6. I take any extra on-the-job training courses that are offered to me.
7. I work well with my co-workers.
8. I co-operate with my boss.
9. I do my best work.
10. I am on time for work.
11. I use my time at work well.
12. I keep learning about my job.
13. I get the job done.
14. I work well without supervision.
15. I try to improve my job.
16. I never neglect my responsibilities, even if they are boring to me.

These 16 questions are compelling and make us mull over the limitations we have. When it comes to work we do not give that hundred percent.

Let us understand that our boss has some expectations from us. How many of them do we fulfil? We would like to be noticed even for the minute work we do but to be unnoticed for many work we shirk during our working hours. First and the foremost we should know what is expected out of us in the workplace. An open conversation with your superiors would make you conscious of where you actually stand. Even your colleagues can be supportive to give a candid opinion about your attitude at workplace. Sometimes we do not like to hear any negative comments about our performance or behaviour.

The easiest weapon we use to avoid unpleasant situation is ‘Resignation.’ We do not want to confront the truth and face the reality. Correction within is essential instead of running away from situations. We can only change workplaces but situations are common everywhere to test our performance.

Weak performer

A study shows that companies invest more money into its top performers and would not like to waste their time and energy with a weak performer. Then, why should you be a weak performer? A performing employee is one who knows what his boss expects and follows the direction laid by the policies in the organisation. The boss would expect you

*To be a leader
*To be innovative and creative
*To be respectful towards superiors, peers, subordinates
*To take pride in the work and apply what is learnt
*To be punctual prompt in keeping up to deadlines
*To be responsible for all your actions and not to blame others
*To keep your superior updated as to build trust and confidence on you
*To be eager to learn new things.

Knowing all the expectations of the boss, we need to modify our behaviour. There are little gestures that could make a positive impact about you in your workplace. You need to instill values and maintain decorum like

*If you are late, call your boss and let him know
*Do not absent from work frequently. If you miss work due to some pressing issue, let your boss know ahead of time.  He may have to reschedule many things.
*Work hard and smart as much as you can and be attentive to your work by giving your hundred percent
*Know your company’s products and services and keep yourself updated with the changes taking place in terms of technology, policies etc,
*Know the marketplace, know the competitors and above all know the environment in which your organisation functions
*Follow work related rules correctly and when you do not know something ask your supervisor or co-worker.
*Keep fit and stay healthy. Your boss would not like to see someone who absents for sickness. If you are healthy, you feel positive. Avoid eating junk food and eat healthy food so that you have enough stamina and energy to work and enjoy life. Exercise regularly and meditate so that you are fit enough to balance work and life.
*Be a friend to all. Advice, guide and direct your subordinates.
*Be rational and solve problems with practical solutions.
*Use the office material properly and do not use them for personal needs.
*Behave professionally and be focused. Work, work and only work should be your priority when at your office.
*Be open. Do not try to hold information that could benefit others. At the same time do not discuss issues that are confidential. Having a complicated code in software that only you know, creating a confusing system that only you can understand are certain tricks practiced.

*Do not bad mouth about the organisation, system or your boss.  If you do so please take a walk to a place you feel better. At the end of the day, all the members of a family though different in personality, thought and attitude live together for a common purpose.  But, when it comes to work, we are becoming less tolerant these days. Above all enjoy work, have fun and accomplish goals with diligence. Come in early to work and leave early. You can work energetically if you come in early and spend productive time with your family. Maintain uniformity and punctuality in work.  When you come early you are noticed and once in a blue moon people notice you when you stay back. Remember coming early gives one an advantage, but if you are going late it means you are catching up for all the work that is pending. All your boss is looking out from you are the following criteria whether:

*You are the right person for the job
*You have the right attitude and skills to perform
*You can work effectively in a team
*You can work independently, with little or no supervision.
*You are multi-tasking or problem solving
*You are willing to learn from your mistakes
*You have the right aptitude and you are self-driven to retain the job.

One question you must ask yourself if you were an employer, would you employ someone like you? Exhibiting positive attitude, helping others at workplace, loyalty, dependability, flexibility are the traits you should possess. Complaining, bickering, blaming, gossiping and finding fault with people and system will not take you to anywhere. If you cannot put your efforts to change the system by being creative and innovative in your approach there is no point in sticking there.

Modify ourselves 

No training programmes can be conducted for changing attitudes and behaviour.  We cannot go back school or college and study all these as a part of the curriculum.  The change has to happen within. We need to know the expectations of the employer and modify ourselves to suite the organisation just as we make so many adjustments in our personal lives to people who are close to us.

The organisation is another family system. To modify Kennedy’s words to suite the organisation of today “Ask not what your organisation can do for you - ask what you can do for your organisation.” It takes days to break a bad habit but to inculcate a good one let’s start now.

“The corporation is the “Master,” the employee is the “Servant.” Because the corporation owns the means of production without which the employee could not make a living, the employee needs the corporation more than vice versa” - Peter Drucker.

The writer, Dr Anitha Ramachander is Dean of Management Studies at New Horizon College of Engineering, Bangalore and can be contacted on anithar72@yahoo.com