How to Create a Positive Career-Focused Ripple Effect

Numerous factors in today's workplace can cause a ripple effect, whether positive or negative.

For example, these factors cause a negative ripple effect:

• Poor leadership

• Ill-defined processes and procedures

• Lack of clear performance goals and expectations

• Negative culture, clients or people

• Lack of information

• Too much work, too little time

• Job mismatch

On the contrary, these can generate a significant positive ripple effect:

• Good communication

• Servant leadership

• Spot on KPIs

• Resources to get your work done

• Using your conative talents

• Working with a great team

As I was listening to a podcast this morning, by Catholic Women in Business, it got me thinking about-

How can each of us create a ripple effect in our careers?

What do I mean?

Well, if you like your job and are good at it, you can create a ripple effect beyond measure in terms of lives you impact and results you accomplish.

I've compiled a list of 7 strategies to intentionally start creating a ripple effect in your career.

1. Career connections. Connect with people often (at least 2 per month) who are willing to share career journey stories.

2. Be intentional. Keep your career aspirations at the forefront of what you do. Re-evaluate weekly, weekly, monthly and annually.

3. Acknowledge talents. Don't be afraid to be or not be the 'smartest' person in the room. We are often times too quick to raise our hands, hit to social media or google reviews, etc. when something is wrong. Instead, acknowledging someone else's good work, ideas or talents unsolicited will encourage others to do the same.

4. Ask for feedback and input. Build this into your weekly meetings- whether you are a manager or being managed.

5. Care and be genuine. Demonstrate care and authenticity by asking co-workers about their weekends, what's happening in their lives outside of work and remember and follow up. Remember- these conversations are only off limits in a pre-hire setting. Otherwise, be curious- ask away! Get to know the 'real' people you work with.

6. Cultivate community. Not just when mandated. Don't wait for HR or the Office Manager to step in. You do it! Coordinate a volunteer outing; lead the charge for an office bus trip. You get it.

7. Treat others the way you want to be treated. It's really this simple... in performance situations, when in a heated conversation with a client, colleague, boss or employee, when you have conflicting approaches.

It doesn't cost anything to be kind; but it can cost everything to not be.

If you are struggling in your current career or job and don't know why... or perhaps you've 'googled' all the resources and still fill stuck on your next action of integrity, I'd love to be a sounding board for you.

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