How to Easily Become a More Valuable Employee

“How to get promoted in 10 easy steps.”

“Why you need to toot your own horn at work… without looking like you’re tooting your own horn.”

These are some of the headlines we are bombarded with on a daily basis. (I’ll admit, I’ve written one or two of those types myself!) A large handful of them have merit-worthy advice. It is important to take responsibility of your career, go after promotions, and create your “brand.”

If you’re looking for a low-key way to improve your professional self that is simple and authentic, a good way to start is to ask yourself, “What kind of problems do I like to solve?”

Everyone appreciates the person who can save the day. So what are your most valuable “save the day” skills and characteristics? What types of things do your coworkers come to you for when they need help or advice? By “specializing” in this problem-solving skill, you can become the trusted go-to persona for anyone who needs that kind of support. 

Think about the following: 

What do I do well? 

This one is pretty self-explanatory. What do you excel at? Think in terms of problem-solving. What are the types of problems you can quickly and easily solve with great results? 

What do people come to me for? 

What kinds of problems do people ask you to help them solve? Remember that a “problem” doesn’t have to be a major disaster. It can your answer to, “Should I wear the black shoes or the blue?” variety. Perhaps you’re great at perceiving the thoughts and feelings of others, so your coworkers come to you to ask if your boss is really that upset or if it'll blow over. 

If you’re not sure what people come to you for, start taking notice! And if you haven’t been asked to help out with something in a long while, it might be time to head out of your cubicle every now and then and make yourself known. 

Find the common ground

Once you have your answers to the two questions above, start looking at your lists and finding where they intersect. Which of the things people come to you for are also on your list of things you do really well? If it’s not on your list—ask yourself why. Why did it not come to mind?

For example, you may have written down a related skill and not realized how it factors into solving a particular problem, so you left it off the list. Now might be the time to add it to your list and cultivate that skill even more. On the other hand, you may have intentionally left it out of the running because you don’t really enjoy doing it (even if you are good at it) which brings me to the next point: 

Choose to be known for things you enjoy doing 

Now that you have your lists and found common ground, for each interrelated item ask yourself, “But do I enjoy doing this?” If your answer is “no,” cross it off the list. For the “yes” responses, try to incorporate them into your life more! 

Put your problem-solving skills on the market

You may have identified 1-3 things that you do well and types of problems that you are good at solving. Make yourself available at work to solve those types of problems. 

How do I let people at work know what my problem-solving skills are? 

Listen closely to your colleagues. When they bring up challenges that you know you can solve with the skills you’ve identified, offer to help. You may even want to share an anecdote from your childhood or recent past. For example: “My preschool teacher always commented that I organized all the toy bins everyday… and I’m still into organizing everything!” Reinforce your coworkers’ confidence in your abilities through storytelling, a genuine interest in helping, and solid performance. Eventually, word will get around and people will start seeking you out. 

What if my skill isn’t related to my job?

That’s okay! In fact, it’s more than okay. Having another facet to your being makes you more intriguing and more valuable. Be sure, however, that you are not usurping someone else’s job with your skill. If you are a tech whiz and your company already has a robust IT department, it may make better sense to leave ito to them. But if your IT department is already taxed and your skill can be a helpful supplement, by all means go for it.

Can my skill pave the way for a side gig? 

Maybe your skill is appreciated in your office but not really essential for the company’s day-to-day operations. For example, maybe you’re great at picking out thoughtful, age-appropriate gifts, or you can bake a fantastic banana bread. These can still “count” in the workplace as things you are known for, plus they might be great ideas for a side business.

Now that you’ve put some thought into your problem-solving, save-the-day skill, how will you incorporate it into your daily life? Share in the comments below! 

—Victoria Crispo, July 2015 Career Coach