Get ahead by helping to make things work

Posted by Sarah Hobbs

From time to time trouble will hit, things will go wrong and your expectations won’t be met – it’s an inevitable part of organisational life. But when they do, ask yourself honestly how you respond – do you get angry and show it by complaints or do you stay relentlessly positive and generous – then help to fix the problem?

How you deal with challenges and what you do when things go wrong, says a lot to other people about who you are. It contributes hugely to your reputation and ultimately to your career success.

So what do you do in a crisis?

1. Is your first reaction anger – and is this evident to other people?


2. Have you ever made a sarcastic comment about a particular individual or department and their capabilities – rather than assuming that they did their best and were hit by problems?


3. Have you had sessions where you have spent 20 minutes with a colleague stoking the anger and venting your frustration?


4. Have you ever had to consciously lower your voice because you wouldn’t want everyone to hear what you are saying about the situation?

If so, the chances are that others have noted your reaction. They might be the one you complain to, or someone who has seen your body language or heard your tone of voice across an open plan office. Yes it’s natural and human to vent – but how often does it happen, and how quickly do you bring yourself around? Can you keep your venting outside work rather than inside?

So another set of questions.

1. Do you refuse to get dragged into criticism and instead focus others on taking a generous and supportive view of the individual or team under fire?


2. Do you pick up things that are “beneath you” so that the problem gets solved and the work gets done?


3. Do you support people who are struggling even though it’s not on your patch?


4. Do you offer to help instead of keeping your head down and avoiding the situation?


5. Do you help prioritise and find the best way through, without people feeling they should be eternally grateful to you?


6. Do you focus on solving the problem – and only start positively reviewing what happened and why, after the it’s solved?

The more you can answer “yes” to the above – the more likely it will that they you’ll build a reputation for being someone who can be relied on when things go wrong. And the more you’ll be seen as the person to invite to take part in uncertain or high-risk opportunities – often the very opportunities which can make you name!

And best of all – when it comes to career strategies this is one of the lowest risk, highest upside things you can do. If you get involved and try to help but it still goes wrong, it won’t be seen as your fault – but if you fix it you’ll get to share in the glory!

TAKE AWAY
What was your honest answer to these questions? Do you have a sharp critical reaction when things go wrong? Could this limit your effectiveness as a leader?

When there’s a problem it’s much easier to sit back and complain, but people who are truly successful with their careers step up – and help others feel good about working through to a solution.