How do you want to be seen in workplace? As competent, confident and valuable, or, as adequate, mediocre and expendable? Unless you are working for Attila, Hun, way folks see you is mostly in your control. Good employees come to work on time, do their tasks well, and cause few waves. Great employees do all that and more. They are focused on company's mission and vision. They can be excellent team-players and excellent leaders when needed. They are clear about their own purposes and visions and know why they have chosen to work where they work. They care about others and help them to achieve their goals. They do these things because it clearly moves them further along their career paths. It is in their own best interest to do so. They have their 'eyes on prize'.

Here's a few secrets. Many folks would rather complain about things than fix them. By being a 'fixer', you are being 'value-added'. Many folks would rather find fault than good. By catching people doing things well and commenting on it, you are being 'value-added'. Many folks would rather see what they can get away with than see what they can give. By giving just a little more than expected, you honor yourself and you are being 'value-added'. Many folks would rather feel 'done wrong' than state their needs and boundaries. By being clearly communicating what you need and want, you are saving time and energy...and being 'value-added'.

Which side of these equations are you working from? Only one will get you where you want to go...although you'll have much more company on other. Your choice!

What would it be like if that was desire and goal of each and every worker? What would it be like if this was both desire and commitment of every employer? What if every employee AND every member of management were truly accountable?

> FOLKS WOULD WORK FOR THE HOURS FOR WHICH THEY ARE PAID.

When you take a position, you know hours, benefits, job description and compensation. That means that you then undertake to do those things for that long to reap those benefits and take home that compensation. Simple equation. Many folks understand it completely. There are some, though, that seem to take up challenge of seeing how little they can do without being noticed. They even seem to think that organization provides them with a telephone and email so that they can stay in touch with their friends and fill their social calendars. One employee in a firm I worked with actually stated that she came to work as a respite from her home life and her home-based business! Very often she could be found chatting in hallways and cubicles about her children, husband and health rather than focusing on her work and supervising her staff.

> FOLKS WOULD FULFILL, AND EVEN EXCEED, THEIR JOB DESCRIPTIONS.

In ideal world, your acceptance of your pay check is your statement of fulfilling your job description. Too obvious? Perhaps. Accountability requires that you take initiative to learn your tasks. Ask questions. Read books. Keep up with your industry by reading newsletters and trade journals. Request training and use it well. Knowing your job reduces your stress. Exceeding your job's expectations leads to promotion.

> FOLKS WOULD BE RESPECTFUL OF TIME, ENERGY, RESOURCES AND FINANCES.

Be on time to meetings. It demonstrates respect. Honor timelines and deadlines. It creates high-performance. Conserve resources and money wisely to improve bottom line.

Simple. But why do it? In large companies I have heard employees say that it doesn't matter much if they make an error because company will never notice, or, because company has so much money it wouldn't matter. Wrong. It's not about that. It is about you being accountable for choices you make which demonstrate your commitment to doing best job possible. These ARE things that are noticed.

Which model are you? Longevity or maturity? It's your choice...and, of course, so are consequences!