The Importance of Being a Contributor in the Workplace
Our Managing Director, Matthew Welstead, was proud to represent Red at the City of Glasgow College’s Nautical and STEM Conference this week. The afternoon session was dedicated to showcasing their City Attributes initiative, covering important soft skills such as being Curious, Optimistic and Open, being Globally Ready and a “Contributor”. Matt was asked to cover the “Contributor” attribute and discuss the importance this in the workplace – here is an edited transcript of his comments:
“Good afternoon everyone and thanks for having me! Today I have been asked to talk about the vital role of being a contributor when you go out into the workplace. I know what you are thinking, it sounds pretty obvious right? Everyone who turns up to work is contributing by default! Not quite….it's not just about completing tasks and turning up; it's about actively engaging and enhancing the work environment through core skills like self-leadership, self-motivation, effective communication, and collaboration.
These skills not only benefit us individually but also contribute to the overall success of our teams and organizations. Employers see these skills as vital to success. It’s all about being Value-add, productive, being a team player, and ultimately…..being someone that other people want to work with.
As someone that has interviewed a lot of people….whether that be in a corporate environment, for our clients or recruiting for my own business….I know all too well that you can train most skills but it’s a person’s attitude, and the wider contribution that an employee makes, that indicates their true potential for growth and success.
So, let’s get cracking and tackle these elements one by one:
1. Self-Leadership:
Self-leadership is about taking responsibility for our own actions and decisions. It involves setting personal goals and being accountable for achieving them. When we demonstrate self-leadership, we inspire others to do the same. I learnt very early on in my career that nobody else is going to drive my career development for me – it was all down to me. Ultimately, self-leadership is all about wanting to better yourself.
So, what are the main points we need to consider within the Self-Leadership element?
-
Setting an Example: By being proactive and accountable, we’re encouraging our colleagues to adopt similar behaviours. This creates a culture of responsibility and trust within the team.
-
Personal Growth: Self-leadership encourages continuous learning and self-improvement. When we take charge of our own personal development, we bring new skills and perspectives to the team.
-
Decision-Making: “Self Leaders” are often seen as key decision-makers. By practicing self-leadership, we are more likely to make informed, educated choices that can positively impact our projects and the team's direction.
2. Self-Motivation:
Next, we have Self Motivation. A significant element to Self-motivation is having that drive to take initiative and pursue goals without being prompted. And that’s the key. I often define it as “hunger”. It’s really wanting to improve things and get involved, and that comes from within, you have to really want it. Self-motivation is crucial for contributing effectively in the workplace.
Again, there are 3 main elements to consider here:
-
Resilience: Self-motivation helps us navigate challenges and setbacks. Self-motivated individuals tend to be more resilient, find solutions and remain focused on their objectives, which can then, in turn, inspire resilience in their teammates. It’s about understanding that its ok to make mistakes but always making sure we learn from them. To me its also about perspective….and understanding that it may feel challenging right now (or in the moment) but with the right attitude you will get through it and learn from it.
-
Engagement: When we are motivated, we are more engaged in our work. This engagement translates into higher productivity and better-quality outcomes, benefiting the entire team. And being engaged rubs off on your colleagues! I’m talking here about engagement with your work but also the wider world, the industry, current affairs! Keeping your finger on the pulse of what’s going on.
-
Innovation: Self-motivated individuals tend to seek new ways to improve processes or products. This drive for innovation can lead to significant advancements within the organization.
3. Effective Communication:
Effective communication is essential for successful collaboration and contribution. I would argue that this is the MOST important element here as, without it, it is almost impossible to achieve the others. This is the lynch pin to all it all. At its most basic level, it encompasses not just speaking clearly but also listening actively, in order to understand others. And ideally doing it in person rather than over a messaging platform.
Let's take a look at why effective communication is so important:
-
Clarity and Understanding: Clear communication reduces misunderstandings and aligns team members towards common goals. When everyone is on the same page, projects run more smoothly.
-
Feedback Culture: Open communication fosters a culture of feedback, where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and constructive criticism. This exchange of information leads to continuous improvement and ultimately a better working environment.
-
Building Relationships: Effective communication strengthens relationships within the team. In turn, creating trust and rapport that facilitate collaboration, making it easier to work together towards common goals.
If you walk away from this short talk with one tip, think about how you communicate across all areas of your life and are there ways you could improve this? Whether that’s how you speak to people or how you listen to them…..are you present in interactions with family, friend or colleagues…?
4. Collaboration
Finally, Collaboration. Collaboration is the synergy that’s created when people work together towards a common goal. It’s about leveraging diverse skills and perspectives. You guys must all see the benefits of this every day at the college!
Here’s why collaboration is crucial:
-
It breeds Diversity of Thought: Collaborating with people from different backgrounds brings different viewpoints, perspectives, and ideas to the table. This diversity can lead to more creative solutions and better decision-making. We all know what it’s like when you are trying to work in an echo chamber, where everyone has similar backgrounds and opinions, so it’s important to ensure you have diverse teams, to drive things forward.
-
Shared Responsibility: When teams collaborate, they share the workload and accountability. This shared responsibility fosters a sense of belonging and teamwork, enhancing morale and productivity.
-
Finally, ultimately, good collaboration brings Collective Success: When we work together effectively, we achieve way more than we could individually. This not only benefits us as contributors but also drives the whole organization forward.
Conclusion:
So, to sum up, being a contributor in the workplace is essential for personal and organizational growth. By developing the core skills we have discussed, like self-leadership, self-motivation, effective communication, and collaboration, we can enhance our contributions and create a positive workplace culture. Remember, each of us has the power to influence our environment positively. Let’s embrace these skills and commit to being active contributors in our own teams.