In January 2009, I decided to go on an adventure to test some life success principles I had been studying for 9 years at that time on how to become a person of high value, sought after by high net-worth individuals, Kings and Presidents of nations and captains of Industry.
I had just completed my BSc. Industrial Relations and Personnel Management (IRPM) otherwise known as Human Resource Management today but I decided to pursue God’s Purpose for my life which was pointing towards an uncharted path. I needed quality preparation and mentoring, so I decided to go work for free for my mentor’s organization.
I applied to work as his personal chauffeur (driver) but with a hidden motive to have direct access to him regularly, so I can observe him closely, learn real-life skills of managing and leading an organization, grow my mind by learning how he thinks so I can install within me the mindset of successful CEOs and most importantly receive the impartation of the grace of God at work in his life.
So, I present to you time-tested lessons that will make anyone in any nation become the kind of employee every CEO or employer of Labor would love to have in their organization; the qualities of a 5-STAR WORKER.
1. THEY WORK FOR THE VISION NOT THE PROVISION:
When you meet every CEO, you must first try to establish what their dream is. What is he or she trying to accomplish with this business, NGO, venture etc.? You must also seek to understand the primary inspiration that made the CEO start the organization, having this understanding established in your heart will make you stand out. You must be like Joseph who focused on interpreting Pharaoh’s vision and gave him administrative solutions to the daily operations. Working for the vision means you see yourself as someone who has come to make a valuable contribution to the organization, not someone who is just working to earn a salary after 30 days. If all you work for is money within an organization, very soon your motivation will crumble because all you are working for are the crumbs from the bread rather than working to expand the bakery.
2. THEY WORK TO LEARN NOT JUST TO EARN:
Once you develop the capacity to learn more on the job by adding more skills to your skillset, then you are increasing your ability to earn more money and other forms of rewards. I worked in several departments and units in this organization at that time because they were grossly under-staffed but I did this to learn about all the activities necessary to make the organization function as a unit, little did I know I got free education on how to run The Purpose Centre and Purpose Discovery Academy (which are in their 15th-year cycle as at the time of writing this article in April 2024). A lot of employees are rigid and narrow-minded, most average workers only have limited knowledge about their job roles and very little or zero knowledge about what other units or departments do. You should aim to make yourself like a box of chocolates with different flavors. Learn about your company’s corporate policies, study about the fringe benefits aside from the salary, learn about your mission statement and core values and most importantly learn about the corporate culture of the organization, because no matter how great the business strategy is, “culture eats strategy for breakfast” according to Peter Drucker, an expert and thought leader in Management consulting globally. Be the go-to person among your colleagues when there is a knowledge gap within your team, and you will see how quickly your value will rise.
3. THEY RAISE THEIR VALUE NOT THEIR VALUABLES:
A 5 Star worker is value driven not valuables conscious. Some people are so poor that all they have is money. When you work in a place, don’t be that employee who relies on their looks just to command attention among their colleagues. Some people believe in this rule, “Fake it till you make it” but I will recommend you raise your value by adding value. You can do this in some simple practical ways like always being punctual, giving extra time to your tasks rather than counting down to 5 pm or your closing time, making the work of your colleagues easier by complementing and complimenting them rather than competing against your colleagues and reaping their reputation apart before your bosses. Remember, we rise by lifting others!
4. SOLVE YOUR BOSS’S PROBLEM BEFORE YOURS:
Be seed conscious not need conscious. What do I mean? You must always seek ways to use your own unique ‘seed’ (special ability or talent or resource) to solve any problems for your boss and not mentally focus on your problems piled up on the shelves of your mind. Be quick to recognize and discern when your boss has a concern by studying their moods and unspoken desires, then you find a solution for them with options. I overheard my mentor saying he needed to buy a new laptop for someone, so I went out of my way to find a good laptop for him. I knew someone who was selling laptops so he informed him, but he told me another person had just bought the laptop I thought would fit my boss’ desire and budget. Interestingly, I also knew this fellow who had just bought this laptop, so I went to see him but as funny as this sounds, he told me he just got a new laptop but suddenly felt like selling it. So I became the human bridge between my boss and his desire to buy a new laptop but I got the greatest shock of my life back then, when I presented the laptop to him, he re-presented the laptop back to me that it was mine— I was the one he had in mind to purchase a new laptop for so all the while I was working so hard to solve a personal problem for him, I was solving a personal problem for myself. When you help others become better, you become better.
5. THEY HELP OTHERS SHINE RATHER THAN OUTSHINING OTHERS:
This may be hard to practice in some offices, but it is a life skill and a timeless success principle which is so powerful because it is also deposited in the Bank of Wisdom, the Bible. Focus on making your colleagues perform better because of your presence in their lives rather than trying so hard to compete and cover for them, compliment them, and uncover their hidden potential. Your value will rise when you make other people’s value rise. I learnt this the hard way back then when I worked for my mentor. I was always punctual, dressed up and went about my tasks with a great attitude but then I realized that individuals could win awards but it’s great teams that win championships. So, I had to start connecting better on an emotional level with my colleagues back then, lifting their self-esteem and confidence improved their competence, and this, in turn, triggered higher productivity across the departments. There was a week I wrote personal handwritten letters of appreciation to all my colleagues, and this did wonders for the employees.
So, let me know which of these principles is your favourite and which you will stay committed to practicing until you become the 5-star employee every CEO dream of having on their team.
NB: This article is written in honour of all workers adding value at various levels to their organizations and being responsible for the GDPs of their nations.
Happy Workers’ Day.
Written by:
Noah AfeOluwape
Mr. Purpose Int’l
.
This is a goldmine. It is very detailed and, at the same time, so enlightening. Thank you so much for sharing, sir.🙌✍️
Well done Sir
Words of wisdom “value “
Uhmmm, Words Of Wisdom Mr Purpose, That’s The Reason Why You Are A Sensible Man Sir, When There’s Life There’s Hope. Mr Purpose, Show Far Show Good See How Our Able God Make The Journey Prosper. You Are Blessed Sir. Shall Be Well With You And Family Sir 🙏🙏🙏 Respect 💯💯.