8 Keys to Making an Impact At Work

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Discover how to make a positive impact at work with tips on positivity, relationships, improvement, respect, initiative, communication, leadership, and teamwork.

We all want to feel like our work matters. We want to make an impact at work. But beyond just completing tasks, how do you truly make a positive impact in your workplace? It’s easy to fall into the daily grind of routine and feel like you’re just a tiny cogwheel in a complex system. 

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, we hope to help you see how you can make an impact by increasing your influence, contribute meaningfully to your team, and leave a lasting impression on your organisation.

Let’s jump right into it.

1. The Power of Positivity

Having a positive attitude is contagious. It lifts the spirits of those around you, fosters a collaborative environment, and makes coming to work more enjoyable for everyone. 

A cheerful disposition demonstrates not only your enjoyment towards your work but also your confidence in tackling challenges.

I know what you’re thinking, and no, you do not need to put on a smile all day long and look like a fool. Being positive is about recognising that God is sovereign and ultimately in control of everything, even when the going gets tough. Having that conviction will enable you to have confidence in any situation you face.

2. Building Meaningful Relationships

Getting to know your coworkers goes beyond just remembering names. Take an interest in their roles, their strengths, and their goals. This fosters a sense of camaraderie and allows you to identify areas where your skills can complement theirs, thus making an impression on them. 

Meaningful relationships are the foundation of successful teamwork. The way you build meaningful relationships is by investing time and energy to get to know them. Find out what they care about and invest time to add value to them in service of their goals. 

We reap what we sow, so don’t expect to reap influence and impact among your colleagues if you’ve not spent the time sowing.

3. Be a Voice for Improvement

Don’t be afraid to speak up when you notice something that could be improved. This doesn’t have to be a negative experience. Frame your suggestions constructively, focusing on solutions rather than simply pointing out problems.

One quick tip on how to do this well is to begin with an accusations audit.

Chris Voss, a negotiation expert, explains that an accusations audit “is taking a step back, and taking an inventory, doing an audit of all the possible negatives, names, accusations, slanderous things that the other side might be thinking about me based on the circumstances, or the environment, or their own paranoia.”

For example, “Hey, I’m probably going to sound like a jerk for pointing this out…” Then state your intentions, criticisms, and possible solutions. 

4. Respect: The Cornerstone of Collaboration

Treating others with respect, regardless of their position or experience, is paramount. This includes actively listening to their ideas, offering support when needed, and acknowledging their contributions. 

A respectful environment fosters open communication and a willingness to share knowledge.

An example of this is to not criticise people’s ideas immediately after they have been shared. Give it some time to settle in your mind and seriously consider its merits. 

James 1:19 says “My dear brothers and sisters, pay attention to what I say. Everyone should be quick to listen. But they should be slow to speak. They should be slow to get angry. Human anger doesn’t produce the holy life God wants.”

5. Innovation Through Initiative

Don’t wait to be told what to do. Initiate new ideas and suggest improvements to existing processes. This demonstrates your proactive nature and commitment to the organisation’s success. 

However, remember to use your problem-solving skills to ensure your suggestions are well-developed and address a genuine need.

It helps to write down the problem (whether on paper or in a word document) and proposed solutions. This is because writing something down helps us think through the problem more effectively than just talking about it off the cuff. More often than not, writing will expose the flaws in our thinking and give us an opportunity to fix them.

6. Communication is Key

Once you have an idea, don’t be afraid to champion it. But remember that effective communication is essential. Facilitate better communication by clearly articulating your ideas, actively listening to others, and fostering open discussions.

If you’ve written down the problem and solutions as mentioned above, it’s likely that you’ll be able to clearly articulate the issue at hand and how your solution will solve it. 

One tip in communicating this in a concise manner (especially to your manager) is to use the 1-3-1 method. State the one problem you’ve identified. Outline three possible solutions you’ve thought of, and state your one recommendation. 

7. Leadership: It’s Not Just About Titles

Being an effective leader doesn’t require a formal title. We can easily identify the manager who is a leader in title only, and not in influence. 

You can demonstrate leadership by motivating your colleagues, taking responsibility for tasks, and guiding others towards success.

One other trait of leadership that is sorely lacking in many organisations today is taking responsibility for mistakes. If this is a rare trait among your colleagues, showing that you can take responsibility for mistakes will set you apart from the rest and show that you’re not just here to care for yourself. 

That’s a mark of a leader. 

8. The Strength of Teamwork

Finally, remember that no one succeeds in a vacuum. By being a team player, you contribute to a collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and supported. This collective strength allows you to achieve far more than you could ever do alone.

If you are managing a team, this means serving your team members well so that they are able to do their best work daily. When they get better, the team performs better, and that can only reflect well on you, their manager. 

Conclusion

Making an impact at work is about more than just completing your assigned tasks. By incorporating these eight keys, you can become a valuable asset to your team, a trusted colleague, and a driving force for positive change in your organisation. 

Remember, a positive and proactive approach is key to leaving a lasting impression and achieving your full potential at work.

About New Covenant Community

New Covenant Community Church is a non-denominational church based in Sentul, Malaysia. Our church family strives to love Jesus more, connect people to God and to reconnect the disconnected. Whether you are looking for a church, want to know some new friends or get connected with people, we are the place to be. Drop us a message or visit us on Sunday at Sentul Boulevard, Kuala Lumpur.