How can you create real value at work?
Whether in a job interview or on the job, it's important to communicate how you can bring value to your workplace. More importantly, it's crucial to show your value—to paint a picture of your unique value.
Sometimes, the best inspiration for answering a question like this is to go directly to the source—bosses. We spoke with several leaders and asked them about value creation at work, what it looks like to them, and how you can create value today.
When you're thinking about what you can bring to a company, remember what matters most to these managers. Here’s what they had to say.
What Does Creating Value at Work Look Like to You?
Being a Team Player
“Creating value is more than being good at your job. In my experience, you also need to be a team player, and by that I mean you need to uphold the purpose and values of your organization through your work and your interactions with colleagues. You also need to be able to stretch beyond your comfort zone. Teams sometimes must adjust their vision and strategy to align more closely with overall organizational goals. When this happens, you may be asked to take on different projects, and it’s important that you are able and willing to do so.” - Stephanie, Vice President, Corporate Communications in the Medical Devices Industry
Trusting Your Employer
“Creating value looks like an outward expression of the belief and trust you have in the company's environment and future. Behaving like you truly care and are engaged with your position brings value to your job and to the company.” - Jennifer, Office Manager in the Dental Industry
Communication
“During COVID-19, value creation has been centered around one's ability to communicate and remain calm and collaborative. Within the Food and Beverage industry, supply chains are being stressed, and hard decisions are having to be made (allocation and shorting of customers, delays, transit issues). How employees respond to this pressure and communicate internally and externally sets them apart and makes them pivotal to the stability of the organization.” - Angela, Key Account Manager in the Food Ingredient Industry
Contributing in a Meaningful Way
“It means contributing in a meaningful way that accelerates or sustains company growth. So, not just doing your job, but doing the job that matters!” - Solu, Director, Business Operations in the Technology Industry and Executive Coach
Being Flexible
“As a hiring manager, I’ve had the chance to work with strong players, but the ones that stand out are the ones that can work with a bit of ambiguity and not have all the answers and communications completely spelled out, mainly because everything that is happening now is new and can change in an instant. Being able to just ask the questions collectively helps us discuss what may be around the corner. “ - Ginny, Director of Recruiting in the Technology Industry
Considering Internal and External Stakeholders
“I think of value creation in two parts for both internal and external stakeholders. Value is created for our customers by providing solutions to their problems and top-notch service. We put the people back in recruiting and make it a human experience. Internal value creation comes from team collaboration, training, demonstrating our core values, and participating in process improvement initiatives.” - Suzanne, Partner in the Recruiting Industry
Thinking Critically
“Being able to critically think and not just be a task rabbit. If I give a member of my team a project to complete, I want and need them to look at it from every angle. They need to be able to efficiently execute the task and hopefully do so without a tremendous amount of guidance and hand-holding. They have to be able to critically think of what is being asked of them and have the confidence and autonomy to complete the task. Now more than ever, that is valuable.” - Erin, Events Director in the National Education Nonprofit Industry
How Can Employees or Future Employees Create Value at Work?
Be Positive
“By coming to work engaged and ready to support the team or the systems, they are bringing vibrance and energy that can be felt by customers and their peers. That attitude and positivity is a value that can't be taught, but when present, is one of the most powerful things an employee, and effectively a company, can possess.” - Jennifer, Office Manager in the Dental Industry
Be Electable
“An employee can stand out by being electable. To be electable means not only mastering your job, but always raising your hand to help others and take on additional tasks. Employees stand out when coworkers can call on them to help. It's never fun to have a teammate that only wants to do their job and go home. After all, we are in it together! However, be mindful to not wear yourself too thin and remember that it's okay to say your plate is full.” - Suzanne, Partner in the Recruiting Industry
Be Customer-Oriented
“Finding creative ways to meet customers’ demands or being able to defend and explain the reason expectations can't be met.” - Angela, Key Account Manager in the Food Ingredient Industry
Be Proactive
“Find something that needs fixing or improving and present ideas on how to do so to your manager.” - Anonymous
Be Vocal
“I see a lot of value in employees who say something when they see an unmet need within the team or the organization. You should have the courage to speak up, but before you do, you should give some thought to how that need could be met. Company leaders do not have all the answers—the views of people deep in your teams are valuable.” - Stephanie, Vice President, Corporate Communications in the Medical Devices Industry
Be Focused
“Prioritize and communicate what matters and let go of what doesn't. If you are doing the same thing over and over again, that's an opportunity to take a closer look and ask, what value does this bring?” - Solu, Director, Business Operations in the Technology Industry and Executive Coach
Be Forward Thinking
“Look at the week ahead and the projects that need to be completed and offer to take them on. Is there something they know I need to get done, but maybe they can take off my plate to further support the team or be prepared for the meeting with the CEO, offer to step up? Also, value can be created in seeking out their own professional development. As a large-scale conference events director, our entire team is having to pivot and learn how to move a week-long professional development conference to a virtual experience, so I need my team to research and seek out knowledge that can help them do their job better. For me, that is huge.” - Erin, Events Director in the National Education Nonprofit Industry
Be Creative
“The pandemic and its aftermath called for creativity. We all need to think about our job and businesses differently. The more new ideas we can bring to the table, the better enabled we will be to save the economy.” - Brielle, Digital Marketing Manager in the Marketing and Advertising Industry
