Personal Finance

Break out of comfort zone into your executive self

zone

Get out of your comfort zone. FILE PHOTO | NMG

What is your difference? What is the edge that you have over others? What is your unique personal and professional proposition?

So you are a good person, you are a qualified professional, you are a hard worker, you're dedicated, reliable and you certainly over-deliver on your mandate year-in, year-out and yet you constantly find yourself left at the back end of things.

Your colleagues and other contemporaries quickly rise through the ranks, but not you. Soon you find yourself still holding the same position and earning the same salary while working your fingers to the bone five, six, even seven years down the line. The organisation isn't the problem and no, your boss doesn't hate you.

The thing is; many other people can do what you do. However much “strength” you might believe that you have in “numbers”, believe me when I tell you that you do not want to be among “the numbers” on this.

The majority of people counted among “the numbers” are slobs. They wake up in the morning, take a shower (I hope!), slather on some Vaseline, throw on something from their wardrobe and head on to work. While they are there no one can tell that they exist until they submit some finished project.

There's nothing fundamentally wrong with that. It's just common and normal and usual and very comfortable. Nothing new or different. So nothing new or different happens for or to them. If this speaks to you, Here are some deceptively simple yet weighty considerations you may want to make;

If what you’ve read so far in this article makes you even a little uncomfortable, it means you need to quite thinking of breaking through the glass ceiling and start breaking out of your comfort zone.

Can others see the dirt under your nails, the hairs sticking out of your nose or the wax in your ears? You're in need of grooming assistance.

Do others ask if you too experienced the power blackout last night? They mean that you're wearing rumpled clothes. You need wardrobe management.

Do they stand at a further than normal distance from you? Hmmm... They won't tell you why. It is, however, my duty to do so. If you don't spray them with saliva as you speak, your breathe may not be fresh or you have unpleasant body odour. Nobody wants to punish themselves by being in close proximity to that.

Can they hear you chewing and see the food particles in your mouth with your saliva drawing like murenda vegetables during lunch? Your dining etiquette could use some improvement.

Do they seem to misunderstand your emails? You need help to effectively write out your brilliant ideas.

READ: Why rebranding yourself is key to success at work

Wondering why you're rarely invited to high-profile company events? You need to look high-profile and brush up on your social skills.

While you're at it, you may want to learn what all the cutlery and glassware on the tables are for... And how to use them appropriately.

Do presenters frequently call you out during meetings? It is most likely because you seem distracted and only physically present. You need to understand how you're communicating non-verbally.

Do others get more credit for your input? You need to learn how to positively position and market yourself.

Did you have to be escorted home before the last office party ended? Well, let's just say that there's a difference between drinking at your local bar and at your company event.

You need to develop the difference shared by the chosen few if your circumstances are to change.

Start today. Develop a comprehensive executive presence!