High performer or workaholic - Viewpoint - careers advice blog Viewpoint careers advice blog

High performer or workaholic - Viewpoint - careers advice blog Hard work is at the root of success. If you want to shine in your job, get that promotion or move your business forward, youll have to work hard at it. You may need to make sacrifices, put in longer hours or take work home, but by being strategic in your efforts and keeping focused on the big picture, you will spur yourself on to the success you dream of. Hang on just a second, thoughlong hours? Taking work home? Making sacrifices? This type of working has all the hallmarks of the classic, workaholic. I know one: works all weekend, no social life and has a better relationship with his office inbox than his young kids. Surely this isnt the kind of high performer I mean? Well, no but its certainly true that high performers can look a lot like workaholics on the surface. Dig a little deeper, however, and youll find that they are actually poles apart, both in terms of outlook and productivity. So how can you tell if youve gone from sparky hard worker to stressed-out workaholic? 1. Know your worth High performers in the workplace know their worth, recognising what they bring to their organisation and therefore owning their own roles and priorities. Workaholics, on the other hand, will wait for validation from others, keeping their heads down without understanding where their input fits into the organisation as a whole. This is a much more blinkered approach and one which can often lead to burn-out, as the workaholic strives to work harder and longer than everyone else in the workplace. Make sure you know how and why you add value. 2. Know when to turn up the tempo Weve all promised to give 100% in job interviews and appraisal meetings, but working flat-out all the time is not healthy, nor is it possible. A high performer will have the good judgement to know when to step-up their game to achieve results. Results-oriented, they work like long-distance runners, surveying the situation, focusing on strategy and keeping everything ticking over in quiet periods, but having the ability to kick into positive action when the need arises. These workers know that results are not about how many hours you put in, rather the quality of work produced overall. The workaholic, by stark contrast, wants to give 100% every single day, taking work home and forever being on call, however inefficient this may become. Being busy is the workaholics sole focus and not constantly working contributes to feelings of insecurity and inadequacy. Ensure you dont fall into this trap. 3. Think about number one Every team has them, those colleagues who take on anything and everything thats thrown at them and just cant seem to say no. While being amenable and ready to share the load is a desirable part of any role, a true high performer will put himself first, understanding that their own areas of responsibility are the priority and have the confidence to turn down requests for help, if they might be detrimental to his own work. Not so the workaholic. Without the big picture mentality, this kind of employee can quickly become bogged down in doing the work of others, so keen are they to appear busy at all times. This can result in their own output suffering as they continually strive to do more and risk burning themselves out completely. Focus on what it is you need to achieve and make that your top priority. 4. Strike the right balance Juggling the dual demands of career and home life is something most of us struggle with from time to time. Looming deadlines and work pressures, coupled with organising children, getting to five-a-side practice and attending family birthdays can all send stress-levels rising, however, a high performer will clearly understand the importance of striking the right work-life balance. By working efficiently and turning up their work tempo strategically when required, these employees will ensure their personal relationships never suffer as a result of their careers. In addition, they will understand that being well-rested and taking time to relax at evenings and weekends will increase productiveness at work. Workaholics, by contrast, will think nothing of missing personal commitments  in order to get more work done, to the huge detriment of their personal relationships and overall well-being. So, if youre first in to the office each morning and last out each evening, you hate taking leave or you take work away with you on holiday, its time to redress the balance and find some time to relax. Your family, colleagues and health will all thank you for it. 5. Set an example others can follow As a high performer, your work colleagues will naturally look up to you for advice and guidance. By being results-oriented, focused and able to set priorities, you can create a high-performing team, with a positive, autonomous culture. For the workaholic, the tendency is to micro-manage and not let go of control. This can lead to a frustrating and inefficient working atmosphere, where one person is doing everything and colleagues feel unable to speak up. Indeed, workaholics are unlikely to work well as a team and find it extremely difficult to delegate. Try to remember that leadership does not mean doing everything yourself and that prioritising tasks and sharing best practice are the best ways to achieve success. Worried your career is going in the wrong direction? Our career management tips will help you get back on track How to improve your work-life balance 10 tips towards becoming a better communicator When is the best time to have a job interview? What size company is the right fit for you? 11 ways to become more productive at work Do you know how and when to say no? Share this blog: