Does all of the chatter about a pending recession make you nervous? With massive layoffs in the news, are you growing increasingly concerned about job security?

Those two questions alone probably sparked some anxiety as you read them but if you’re reading this, you’re on the right path towards increasing your value within your organization.

While there is no magic potion to being marked safe from layoffs in this time of uncertainty, there are several things you can do to better your chances of not only being on the chopping block but thriving and excelling in your career in 2023.

Lead from Any Level in the Organization

Oftentimes people think they need to carry the title of Manager, at a minimum, to be identified as a leader within an organization. The truth is, leadership can come from every level of an organization and the people who embrace this concept will quickly be identified amongst their peers as valuable contributors to the company’s mission.

How do I do this, you might ask? It’s simple. Every day, no matter what business you’re in, opportunities are all around you to step up and be a leader.

Does a colleague need help learning a new tool or process? Offer your support and tips you’ve learned to help them along. Volunteer to participate in the next big project your company or department is participating in and provide valuable input to the team as the project progresses.

There are many ways you can be of service to others, just be sure that your job is still getting done and at the same high level you’ve always performed at.

Use Performance Evaluations to your Advantage!

For many, the end of a year or beginning of a new year likely means you’ve recently had the opportunity to discuss your performance with your manager in the form of a Performance Evaluation. There are many types of Performance Evaluations and if you’re not familiar, check out this helpful post from Indeed.com on the 12 Benefits of Performance Appraisals for a better understanding. We’ll reference the more traditional perfomance evaluation or appraisal below. 

A good manager will not let a year end performance evaluation present any surprises to their employees, however, every manager is not a good manager. While a good team leader will present challenges and opportunities for improvement along with praise for successes as they arise throughout the year, you should also be preparing for your evaluation well in advance of your formal meeting with your manager..

As the year progresses, take note of project outcomes or challenges that you’ve delivered on time or handled well. Find ways to track your performance monetarily by documenting instances where you’ve saved the company money or helped resolve a customer issue which led to an additional sale. Tying back these successes to your role shows you understand what is expected of you in your role and that you’re aware of how you contribute to the organization’s success.

Even top performers will have opportunities to improve so also be prepared to discuss examples of times when you could’ve done something better and how you plan to improve and change the next time you’re presented with a similar situation.

Implement Feedback with a Positive Attitude

If presented with any surprises or concerning issues with your performance during your evaluation with your manager, try to remain calm. Take a deep breath and try to control your emotions. This is not the time for an outburst no matter how wrong you think they might be, instead, use this one-on-one time to get more information and clarification. Ask your manager for specific details and examples to describe those areas of unsatisfactory performance. Be sure to take notes and ask them for specific methods or ways they think you could’ve handled the described situation better.

While it can be deflating to hear that you may have areas that need improvement, it’s important to recognize your feelings. After all, you’re human and we don’t take criticism well! However, you owe it to yourself to move on and not dwell on the negativity as it can swirl beyond just a bad day.

It’s important to try to view the feedback objectively and use it as fuel to power your commitment to growth and improvement in the year to come, proving to your team you have emotional intelligence and gumption to become the best possible version of yourself and provide considerable contributions to the organization.

By demonstrating your leadership qualities and turning feedback into a positive change with a good attitude will help position you favorably amongst your peers as companies continue to navigate the unknown economic conditions ahead. As we’ve seen already this year, managers are being forced to start evaluating their headcount for potential budget cuts. Don’t fall “below the cut line” and stay tuned for part two!

Are you struggling to figure out how to move forward and implement these strategies in real life? These are tough topics and can be difficult to implement which is why we’re in business in the first place. We are here to help you navigate these challenges. Contact us today to discuss how we can help you achieve your goals with customized plans and tips to execute!