Questions on Behavior at Work
1) When have you truly “worked smarter” instead of “working harder” at work?
While there’s hardly any substitute for hard work, we can define hard in a smarter way. Hard may not necessarily mean putting blood, sweat, and tears. Instead, it can equal devotion, energy, and flow.
Before you jump into doing the next thing, ask yourself the following questions:
Is this my work at all?
Do I have the time to do the work?
How can I optimize the work process?
Setting boundaries, learning to say no, delegating, and allowing other, more capable people to take over a task is a smart way to get more done.
Having a good rest, sleeping, and recharging is another approach to improving your performance and results. A few creative hours could potentially make a bigger impact than working day and night.
Last but not least, automation and using the right tools can significantly boost your productivity. Search for the latest apps and software available in your field. You may be surprised by the number of smart ideas people have come up with to deal with hard work.
2) How do you break free from a career that is not your ideal career path?
Technically, you can plan your exit. Save money, give a notice that you are leaving, and then dedicate your time to your new career path.
Another approach is to start your ideal career as a side hustle. Allocate an hour or two a day, several hours a week, to take steps in the direction you want to go.
Lastly, it could be by taking a leap of faith. You decide that it’s time to move on, break free, and figure everything out as it comes.
These all have their innate sets of challenges and rewards. It’s worth exploring further what resonates with you the most.
3) What is the most common mistake when joining a new company?
Acting like you know everything.
Acting like you know nothing.
Both extremes can take you down a slippery path. Instead, be open to learning and bringing your skillset to the table.
4) How can I be a good teacher to pass on skills that I learned?
Passing on skills is a learnable skill itself. There is a four-step approach that you can take as a teacher in developing your student’s skillset:
TELL - communicate the theory as well as your tips.
SHOW - you perform the task and the student observes you.
DO - the student performs and you observe him/her.
REVIEW - provide feedback on what has gone well and what can be improved
Education and training programs tend to miss one or more of those steps. As a result, students are not able to obtain valuable skills and are faced with the challenge of taking a trial-and-error approach themselves.
Being a role model surpasses the words you say. Letting the student perform serves as a practice arena for him/her. Then reviewing the process and reflecting on it is what fosters their learning.
5) Can the wrong boss make or break a career?
The wrong boss sets a great example of how NOT TO behave when you yourself become the boss. What you are learning now can practically be invaluable in the future.
While the boss can affect one’s career path, there is another important element in the equation - that is YOU. The way you respond to challenges such as this is what can set you up for success.
How could you deal with the wrong boss?
EMPATHIZE - see through the boss’s eyes and understand his/her perspective, too.
ESCALATE - discuss the matter with higher-level managers or the CEO.
EXPLORE- seek more attractive opportunities in other teams, departments, or companies.
ELSE - be creative and come up with more ideas.
Each one of these strategies can bring different results.
It is a choice you have the power to make.
