Establishing a Workplace Identity

At first glance, creating a ´workplace identity´ may seem unimportant. In point of fact, it is vital to achieving success in one´s job. Without it, failure is all but assured.

But what does it mean to create a successful workplace identity? Simply, that one´s performance habits, integrity, reliability, etc. are all in tune with the expectations of management. In so doing, one enhances the prospect of success on the job.

Establishing a workplace identity does not mean acting just like one´s boss. After all, the singular ´boss´ concept is losing traction in the workplace of today. Anymore, multiple ´bosses´ are the norm in the workplace. Even if a single boss governs your workplace, it is essential to carve out an identity with that individual that creates reasonable and reliable expectations for workplace performance.

An example: is it necessary to put in lots and lots of ´extra time´ on the job in order to establish a beneficial workplace identity? In most cases, the surprising answer is ´No.´ When one spends massive extra time on the job, it creates an EXPECTATION in the minds of that employee´s supervisors and co-workers. Thus the first time the hard-working employee needs to step away from his crushing schedule, those colleagues quite naturally register surprise and/or disappointment with him.