This post originally appeared onThe Simple Dollar.
Many people dont do this, for quite a few reasons.
One, theyre afraid of the conversation.
Talking to their boss in such a way seems intimidating and they visualize unrealistic negative outcomes.
Two, if they do have the courage to do it, they dont present their case well.
Three, they easily accept no for an answer and dont negotiate.
Often, no is just a starting point.
Then, practice using those skills in less important situations.
When youre a bit practiced, then use them at the negotiating table for your salary.
It makes sure that you stay unnoticed, and the unnoticed person doesnt get raises.
They dont get promotions.
They often lose out when it comes to hours.
Be aware, of course, that theres a difference between speaking up and constantly complaining.
Heres a simple way to tell the difference.
Complain only when it isextreme; speak up only when it is clearly useful.
Time Management
No matter what your job is, there are aspects of time management involved.
There are lots of simple systems for time management.
A pocket notebook and a pen handles this very well for most entry-level jobs.
Thats work ethic and its probably the most valuable thing you’re able to have in the workplace.
How do you build work ethic?
Most people are willing to work, but many people have difficulty maintaining focus on their task.
So, then, how does one improve focus?
The most effective strategy is to minimize distractions.
Close your door and put up a do not disturb sign sometimes.
Turn off your cell phone and close your web online window and email program.
exit the blinds if at all possible.
Make it so that theres almost nothing in your area but you and your task.
Another thing I find incredibly useful when it comes to focus is mindful meditation.
Just sit in a comfortable place, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing.
Breathe in, breathe out.
Breathe in, breathe out.
Your mind is flat-out going to wander when you do this, and thats fine.
Justnoticeyour mind wandering and then bring it back to your breath.
I cant recommend doing this highly enough.
Another key aspect of work ethic is simple commitment to the job.
Youve got to produce more than someone off the street.
Because, like it or not, thats how your employer views you on some level.
If you want that raise, youve got toworkfor it.
Dont slack off at work.
Prepare your mind to focus on the task at hand.
Get down to business.
The reality is that very few people want relationships with people who consistently express negativity.
In some workplaces, you might find a person or two with a big chip on their shoulder.
In reality, though?
You dont want them around.
Others dont want them around.
Often, unless they have some sort of special claim to power, their days are numbered.
Ill give you an example.
You wouldneverhear him speak negatively about another person, whether that person was present or not.
That guy was a very ordinary looking guy.
He didnt always speak well.
He was a bit overweight and had some seriously nerdy interests.
Everyone valued his advice.
He basically had a job for life and was often rewarded with raisesand no one minded in the least.
It was because he was incredibly good at positive networking.
If you wanted to just have a conversation about anything, he was almost always open for it.
Every single time, those people were rewarded with sustained employment, raises, and promotions.
Dont engage in negativity in the workplace, ever.
If you have to criticize someone, do it privately and couch it in the things they do well.
Make an effort to establish a positive relationship with everyone.
If someone else is negative in a conversation, dont participate in the negativity.
Leadership simply means being the person that steps up when something is needed by a group of people.
It doesnt mean being the manager.
In fact, quite often, the best kind of leadershipdoesntcome from a manager.
Think about your workplace.
Think about the person everyone looks at when theres a workplace challenge or a big project.
That person is the leader.
Why is that person the leader?
That person is the one who comes up with a plan.
That person is the one who goes around, figures out the consensus, and says it.
In a nutshell, being a leader is basically a combination of the other skills presented here.
A good leader is a positive networker, with good relationships with everyone.
A good leader isnt afraid to speak up.
A good leader is good at managing their time.
A good leader has a good work ethic.
A good leader can negotiate.
Final Thoughts
As I said in the section on leadership, these elements are all rather interconnected.
All six of these behaviors tend to reinforce each other.
Time management reinforces a good work ethic, and vice versa.
Positive networking tends to feed right into leadership.
These skills all help each other.
They make you into a person who leans into challenges rather than leaning away from them.
Those are the traits that every company in the world is looking for and theywillpay for them.
Practice these skills and build them.
Make them part of how you naturally behave in the workplace.
Rewardswillfollow, no matter what your job is.
Image byPlanet Flemvia Getty.
