Good Job to Great Job?

When was the last time your boss said “good job”? Of course, better managers understand the importance of praise, and we always feel motivated when this happens. But is there a connection between doing a good job, and getting a better one? There is – but not in the way you might think.

Today, the term “good” has been devalued to mean “average”, or “minimal”. Expressions like Good enough, Good for you, and even Good day all fall short of greatness. And greatness is what will get you that next job, or that important promotion.

Consider these (great) concepts:

1) Is your writing great?

Look at your resume, your correspondence, and the last report you wrote. Are they the best you could do, and are they focused on the needs of the reader? What one way could you improve them?

2) Are your job skills great?

Don’t find yourself disqualified from an opportunity merely for being “good”. What is it about those in your area of expertise who are great, that makes them so great? What is the one thing that you can do to acquire these attributes?

3) Are your listening skills great?

This is critical in every job. Salespeople who don’t listen to customer’s needs can’t fill those needs. Managers who don’t listen to their employees rarely will be able to motivate them. Interviewees who don’t listen carefully rarely answer the right question. No matter how good you think you are, how can you become a great listener?

4) Are your _______ great?

Fill in your own blank here: speaking skills, analytical skills, relationship skills, etc. Think through the key success factor in your current job, and ask yourself whether you are doing a good job of it, or a great one.

Stand out in the pack. Whether you are selling a product to customers, an idea to your colleagues, or yourself into your next role, doing a great job will differentiate you from the majority who merely do a good job.

This week’s action item:

What will it take for you to be great? Often, it is as simple as making sure that Good doesn’t get in the way. Commit to changing one thing from good to great, then put it on your calendar for action.