I was taught as a child that if you worked hard and you persevered you could overcome all obstacles and climb the career ladder. But time and time again I have witnessed people coming through the ranks that do this and are seemingly not recognised for their efforts.

Example one – What not to do!

Jeannie has worked in her company for 10 years and has applied for a management position. She did not get it and was told that although a great company employee she did not have the skills to manage in the role.

Jeannie felt differently. She had actually led 5 projects and worked tirelessly everyday for many hours until everything was achieved. What had she done wrong?

· Jeannie is great worker but not a great manager. She only succeeded by doing most of the work herself. Was this good for her and the company? NO!

· Jeannie was working herself into the ground and others around her were not working efficiently. She therefore was feeling very dissatisfied and unrecognised.

· Those around Jeannie felt disempowered and therefore did not work to their own capacity. They were very dissatisfied with the company as a result.

· Jeannie had applied the work harder philosophy but had failed to see that if she had empowered the others she could have achieved much more with each project than by doing most of the work herself.

To overcome this Jeannie must learn not to want to control everything and everyone around her. By feeling that no one else can do the job as well as she can, Jeannie has managed herself into a corner. It doesn’t matter if the task is not done exactly as she would like, it matters that the team is given ownership of the outcomes. By doing this you end up with more than you would, if you did it yourself. Motivating a team is a large part of being a good leader and manager and managing by doing everything your-self is not managing at all!

Example Two – What to do!

I recently came across a young woman who had progressed quickly through the ranks and was put into a management position much to the chagrin of the people around her. There was nothing wrong with her but others felt she did not have the experience and time within the company to come to terms with such a senior appointment. Others were downright miffed that they had been passed over after having worked extremely hard to prove their capabilities. She also never worked overtime! What did this young woman do that got her this appointment?

1. She had done an analysis of the organisation and put together a business case for improving certain services. She then made an appointment and presented this case to her MD. All of this was achieved without any of her peers knowing of her involvement. After all she was just trying to achieve a more efficient system. However when the position of manager became vacant she was asked to apply and subsequently was appointed.

2. She solved a problem thereby creating value for the company and she made her boss look good.

3. She was spotted as someone who was proactive and capable of providing solutions in the company

4. She had also promoted herself in such a way that her bosses could not help but listen.

This is a perfect example of working smarter and not harder. What can you do to add value to your organisation?