How can you differentiate yourself from your peers in the competitive financial industry? Many have similar financial background and qualifications, just like you. Assuming you and your peers offer the same amount of value to the organization, how do you raise your chances of landing the promotion during the upswing and keeping your position safe during the downswing? Develop superior social skills to distinguish from your competing peers. It takes time and commitment to develop good relationships. Here are five attributes to help your colleagues to better know you, like you and trust you.
Positive attitude - Would you prefer to work with someone who is enthusiastic than one who whines often? Your colleagues would feel the same way too. Do you take initiatives or act helpless when some negative events happen? Are you a proactive action taker? Do you see challenges as opportunities or threats? Do you embrace new responsibilities or do you grumble about having too much work? Be sure that you are part of the solution and not part of the problem. Be willing to exceed expectations of your colleagues.
Emotional maturity - It is understandable that a financial analyst is stressed out under the intensity of work. Be responsible for your own your own feelings and keep them under control in the workplace. Take an honest look at yourself. Are you quick tempered? Do you act on impulses often? Do you express your emotions and vent out your frustrations in healthy ways? Exercise, rest and relaxation are just a few simple ways you can release tension. It you want to go far in your career, emotional maturity is critical quality to have.
Empathy - Understand that your fellow co-workers are under work pressure just like you. Some may even have their personal struggles to deal with. Empathy is the ability to identify and understand the wants, needs and perspective of others. Are you a good listener who can recognize the underlying wants and needs of others? Empathy is an essential quality of an excellent leader and is the basis for developing strong people relationships.
Team player - It may be counter-intuitive to help your co-workers when some, like you, may be vying for the same position that will open up. Although you will be evaluated based on your individual performance, you belong to a team. Be generous and share your knowledge with your team. Helping your colleagues achieve their goals will earn you their support and respect. When you help to give solutions to your team members, they will also reciprocate the support when you are in need.
Network - The more people you connect with, the wider your network for information, ideas and potential opportunities. Do you have any regular networking meetings? Do many people know about your quality work and great work attitude? Does anyone know about your work achievements? Be authentic but do not brag. Networking is the opportunity to apply the people skills that you have developed.
A good place to start developing your people skills is to know yourself first. Observe and see how you currently interact with people. Do you notice any patterns? Are you well-liked? What are the qualities that people like about you? Keep them up. Do you co-workers always exclude you from their events? Are you unfriendly, impatient or grouchy? Where do you have room for improvement?
Your people skills will be the crucial factor differentiating you from you peer financial analysts. When a position opens, the first candidate to be considered is a positive team player and who can understand the wants and needs of others. Of course, it helps to have people know about these valuable qualities of yours. When the time comes to compile the hit list during cutbacks, you can be sure the unfriendly individual that few people know about will go first.
About the Author:
Corinne Lor teaches financial analysts and investment analysts how to be more productive and efficient. Visit her blog for more information.
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