Hard Work Isn’t Enough, Says Stanford Expert. Here’s How to Stand Out From Your Teammates.
You’ve probably heard the saying “hard work will speak for itself.” While that sounds good in theory, it’s a lie, according to Stanford organizational behavior professor Jeffrey Pfeffer. Just putting your head down and grinding isn’t enough to get you noticed on your team, in class, or in your career.
Young people, especially, tend to think that if they just do a good job, someone will notice. But staying quiet and simply doing what’s expected of you will only get you overlooked. The athletes who get ahead are the ones who are bold and aren’t afraid to make themselves known.
According to Pfeffer, “You are seen for how you show up. Therefore, how you show up is at least as important as what you actually do.”
Here are three ways you can start standing out today:
1. Show Up and Speak Up
Don’t just be a wallflower on your team. Speak up during team meetings, volunteer for a new role or project, and make an effort to build a relationship with your coaches. This is about your behavior, not your personality. Whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, it’s about making a conscious effort to build rapport with the people around you and to make yourself known.
2. Build Your Network
Your network is key to getting ahead. Start by building a good relationship with your coaches, who are the people who have a say in where you go on your team and in your career. Pfeffer recommends getting comfortable sharing your ideas with them, asking them for advice, or even offering them a compliment. Small gestures like this can help you stay top of mind when they’re thinking about candidates for leadership positions or professional opportunities.
3. Dress the Part
Another way to stand out is by dressing slightly more professionally and nicer than the people around you. This has nothing to do with your actual performance, but it projects confidence and competence. It’s a nonverbal way of communicating that you’re serious about your role and that you’re ready for a leadership position.
Do you have any other tips for getting ahead in sports or in life?