Out of the cocoon

Once again its the time of the year when I get rated. Yup...I am talking about the performance appraisal. And I have always looked at it as my final exam results but then the results is not based on a test held at the end of the year but rather on the overall performance all through the year. I have gone through the cycle 3 times till now and for the first time I think I got a rating that I expected. The rating that I would have given if asked to appraise myself on absolute scales, is exactly what I got this year.

I guess I have come a long way in my professional career. And I would be lying if I said I didnt enjoy it. I have discovered so many things about me along the way. Things that I never thought I was. I have discovered so many things about the dynamics of working with people. I have met different types of people. I have slowly understood what it means to be a part of an organization.

Over the years I have observed that I am one person who has always answered the following question positively - Do you like your job? One of the main aspects that helps in giving a positive answer is self motivation. As long as you dont fully depend on the organization to give you opportunities and provide support, motivation yourself becomes an easy job. In the first few years of you career it is imperative that you grab every single opportunity and try to excel in what you do. The first impression that you create is the one that holds a lot of value.

The first couple of years in you career are the best in many ways. Here the expectation from you is very low. You are allowed to commit mistakes. There is always someone covering-up for you. You are shielded from all the politics. And you are not held responsible for anything! A time like this is the best opportunity one can get. Always deliver the unexpected. Never commit mistakes. Take responsibility of you actions. Focus on quality. And you have created an impression.

One important thing always talked about is perception management. If you intend to stick to your organization for a long time then this is one important thing. Diligence always pays off. But it is smartness that adds that cherry to the pudding. Communicate every bit of work that you do. Never hide anything under the carpet. Along with being smart, show that you are smart. Try to always be in the win-win zone with your collegues and bosses. Ask the right questions and dont be scared to tell that you have done something wrong. And never come up with problems alone, come up with solutions too.

A senior person in the organization once told me - a person is best judged on the following parameters in the decreasing order of importance - "inherent attitude", "inherent ability", "competence". Attitude plays the most important role. This is something we realise only when we come out of our cocoon after a couple of years. The attitude of a person decides if he is an asset or a destructor to the organization. What people perceive you as decides the roles that you are going to play in the organization. And a leader always gives a lot of importance to this.

Complacency, stubborness, egotism and the likes can creep in if success always follows you. The tendency to think highly of oneself and to look upon others as lesser mortals can take over if not kept under check. These are the first signs of a inevitable fall in one's career. Humility should never be shed off. A leader always knows that standing alone he can never achieve his goals. He has to take his team along with him to the top.

I am coming out of the cocoon, lets see how well I am able to handle the surprises in store.