Welcome to the Stop Sabotaging Your Success podcast, episode one hundred and fourteen. I’m your host, Cindy Esliger. This is the podcast focusing on what we can do today to take control of our careers and overcome the inevitable barriers to success that we encounter along the way. 

The old adage, “how you do anything is how you do everything” is a powerful lens through which to view our personal and professional lives. It suggests a consistency in how we approach tasks, big or small, which in turn reflects our broader values, work ethic, and identity. In a professional setting, this philosophy can be our guide as we consciously shape our careers. 

In this episode, we explore the value in deciding ahead of time what we want to be known for and how we want to show up in our workplace. This is not a task to be taken lightly. It requires introspection, strategy, and a deliberate alignment of your thoughts, feelings, and actions to achieve the career success you’re striving for. 

To embrace the idea that “how you do anything is how you do everything”, start with some honest self-reflection. Set aside time to consider these questions: What’s most important to me? What kind of professional do I want to be? How do I want the people at work to view me? Answering these questions will lay the foundation for your professional brand. 

As I said, nailing down what you want to be known for is key. Whether it’s for your leadership, reliability, or empathy, make sure it aligns with your values and aspirations. Once you have this clarity, it shapes how you present yourself and gives you a filter when considering options and making decisions in the workplace. 

Once you’ve identified your professional identity, the next step is to create strategies that help you consistently embody those attributes. This involves aligning your thoughts, feelings, and actions in ways that drive you towards your goals. 

Your thought patterns play a crucial role in shaping your behavior and outcomes. Things are going to happen and people are going to say and do things that might not be what you’d say or do, but that’s not something you can control. What you can control is how you think about it and what you make it mean about you. Your power is in your response, so take that moment to pause and be more intentional so that you’re not just reacting in a way that you might later regret.

How you think affects how you feel and how you feel impacts how you act. Building your emotional intelligence helps you handle workplace dynamics more professionally, build strong relationships, and stay resilient during the tough times, and there will be tough times that will put your patience to the test. Techniques like mindfulness and emotional regulation can help you manage your emotions, ensuring that they help rather than hinder your professional goals. The last thing you need is to be perceived as emotional by those around you, especially in a male-dominated workplace. 

At the heart of the phrase, “how you do anything is how you do everything” is developing consistency in your actions. It’s about showing up every day as your best self, regardless of the task or what’s happening around you. Go the extra mile in your work, be a supportive colleague, keep growing personally and professionally, and always act with integrity. Every action reinforces the professional identity you aspire to have. 

Then, it’s a matter of implementing your strategies and turning theory into practice. This requires dedication and adaptability as you translate your aspirations into actionable steps. Regularly review your goals, taking the time to recognize the progress you’re making, and be ready to adjust as you evolve or when circumstances change.

Surround yourself with people who embody the qualities you admire for inspiration, guidance, and support. Also, don’t underestimate the power of giving back. Being a mentor or helping others not only reinforces your desired identity, but also expands your network and fosters a more collaborative culture. 

If you’re just beginning or in the middle of building your career, it might seem strange to think that you are actually building your legacy, but that’s exactly what you’re doing by deciding how you want to be known and showing up consistently in that way. It’s a long-term vision that extends beyond just daily tasks. By consistently aligning your thoughts, feelings, and actions with your professional values and goals, you’ll not only find personal success, but also contribute positively to the workplace culture and beyond. 

This approach to professional growth challenges us to be mindful in all we do. It reminds us that our daily actions, no matter how small, contribute to the bigger picture of who we are and what we stand for in our careers. Embracing the philosophy that “how you do anything is how you do everything” is a commitment to excellence, integrity, and growth. It’s a powerful strategy for those who aim not just to succeed, but to truly thrive and make a meaningful impact.

Think of defining and shaping your professional identity as crafting your personal brand within the workplace. It’s about distinguishing yourself, not just through the work you do, but also in how you do it. This identity significantly influences your career trajectory, your relationships at work, and how you’re perceived by those you work with. To stand out in today’s competitive professional landscape, it’s essential to embody characteristics that are universally recognized as markers of success.

Let’s explore some practical tips for determining your professional identity around five key characteristics successful people demonstrate in the workplace: resilience, adaptability, leadership, continuous learning, and integrity. 

1.Resilience

Resilience is the ability to withstand adversity and bounce back from failures with grace, even stronger than before. In the workplace, this characteristic is invaluable, as challenges and setbacks are inevitable.

Here’s some practical advice to develop your resilience: 

• Reflect on setbacks: Regularly take time to reflect on the challenges you’ve faced. What lessons did you learn? How did you grow? If you’re really honest, something good does come from those experiences, so instead of seeing them as something to endure, focus on how this has benefited you, even if it’s just knowing what to watch out for next time.
• Manage stress. Develop healthy stress management techniques such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies to maintain your well-being and keep a clear mind. Avoid the less than helpful coping mechanisms that have become so commonplace, especially if they’re more of an escape than a way to help you manage what you’re experiencing. 

2.Adaptability

The only constant in the professional world is change. Successful people embrace change and adapt their strategies, goals, and actions to navigate new circumstances effectively. 

Here’s some practical advice to enhance your ability to adapt: 

• Stay informed: Keep yourself in the loop with those who always seem to know ahead of time what’s shifting within your organization. This knowledge can help you anticipate what’s coming next and adapt more quickly. 
• Experiment: Be open to trying new approaches in your work. Experimentation can lead to ways of automating those things that need to get done, but demand far too much of your time in doing them. Try things out until you find the right mix that you can rely on. 

3.Leadership

Leadership is not just for those in management positions. It’s a quality that can be demonstrated at any level of an organization through influence, vision, and the ability to inspire and motivate others. 

Here’s some practical advice to improve your leadership skills: 

• Develop emotional intelligence: Strong leaders are aware of their own emotions and can understand and influence the emotions and therefore the actions of others. 
• Communicate effectively: Clear and effective communication is crucial. Practice active listening, articulate your ideas clearly, and tailor your communication style to your audience. And remember, there’s more to communication than words, since your actions speak volumes. Demonstrate the qualities you value in the workplace and others will follow your lead. 

4.Continuous Learning

The most successful professionals are those who never stop learning. They continuously seek opportunities to expand their knowledge and skills, keeping them relevant and competitive. 

Here’s some practical advice to continually expand your knowledge:

• Set learning goals: Identify areas for growth and set specific, measurable goals for the next year. This could involve taking courses, attending workshops, or dedicating time to read business and leadership books on your own time. 
• Seek feedback: Regular feedback from peers, mentors, and supervisors can provide valuable insights into areas for improvement and growth. You could even take this a step further and ask for their opinions on changes they see and where there are gaps in your organization that you might consider filling, if they are of interest to you.

5.Integrity

Integrity involves being honest, ethical, and principled in your professional interactions. It’s about doing the right thing, even when no one is watching, and it’s fundamental for building trust and respect in the workplace. 

Here’s some practical advice to lean into your integrity: 

• Hold yourself accountable: Take responsibility for your actions, including your mistakes. Owning up to errors and learning from them is a powerful way of demonstrating integrity.
• Respect others: Treat everyone with respect and kindness, regardless of their position or role. This fosters a more positive work environment and people notice who are easy to get along with and who aren’t. 

Now that we’ve explored these five characteristics that successful people demonstrate in the workplace, how do we weave them into our professional identity? Begin by conducting a self-assessment to identify which of these traits you already possess and which you need to develop further. Next, create a personal development plan that outlines specific actions, timelines, and resources needed to cultivate these characteristics. This can be just for you, no one else needs to see it. Remember, developing your professional identity is an ongoing process that requires reflection, effort, and adaptability. 

Building a strong professional identity around these characteristics doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a deliberate and ongoing process that requires dedication, self-awareness, and the willingness to step out of our comfort zone. By working to embody these traits more fully, you might enhance your career prospects and set a powerful example for others.

Our approach to any task reflects our overall work ethic, attitude, and even our leadership potential. We can develop more productive work habits, improve our dealings with difficult people, and manage challenging situations more effectively, thereby enhancing our leadership skills and increasing our chances of being promoted. 

1.Creating Productive Work Habits

Our work habits demonstrate our commitment, efficiency, and ability to prioritize. Reflect on how you approach your daily tasks. Do you procrastinate on emails only to rush through them later? Do you prepare for meetings or wing it, hoping for the best? Your approach to these tasks can be very revealing. 

Here are three quick tips to improve your work habits: 

• Prioritize and plan: Begin each day with a clear plan that prioritizes your tasks based on urgency and importance.
• Develop your ability to focus: Develop routines that signal it’s time to do your focused work. It could be as simple as taking a few deep breaths before starting work or organizing your workspace. These can help transition your mind into work mode. 
• Reflect on your work patterns: Identify your periods of high productivity and leverage them for your most challenging tasks. Understanding your work patterns enables you to tailor your schedule for maximum efficiency. 

2.Handling Difficult People

Interacting with challenging colleagues or clients is inevitable in any workplace. These interactions can be stressful and impact our performance and job satisfaction. However, they also offer an opportunity to demonstrate leadership qualities like empathy, patience, and effective communication. 

Here are three quick tips to improve your interactions with difficult people:

• Start by analyzing your default reaction: By recognizing and understanding how you typically respond to difficult people, you can develop a more strategic response. Do you avoid confrontation, become defensive, or try to reason with them? No matter your default response, it’s all good information. 
• Practice empathy and active listening: Do your best to understand their perspective. Often, difficult behavior stems from underlying issues. I’ve now come to believe that most people don’t actually try to be difficult, but there was a time when I wasn’t completely convinced of that. Empathy and active listening can help de-escalate tensions and lead to more productive interactions. 
• Set boundaries: It’s crucial to set professional boundaries and learn to communicate your limits clearly and respectfully to prevent misunderstandings and establish a professional working relationship. It’s up to you to set those limits for yourself. No one is going to do it for you. 

3.Managing Challenging Situations

Not every project or task will go as planned, and not everyone will behave in a professional manner. How we respond to these situations can significantly impact our career trajectory and leadership potential. A knee-jerk reaction can escalate the situation, potentially damaging our professional reputation, while a thoughtful, strategic response can demonstrate our resilience, problem-solving skills, and leadership. 

Here are three quick tips to improve your handling of these types of challenging situations: 

• Pause before responding: When facing a tough situation, give yourself time to process what’s happening before reacting. This pause can prevent you from acting impulsively and allow you to approach the situation more rationally.
• Seek another perspective: Consult with a mentor to gain insights into the situation. They may be able to help you formulate a more comprehensive and effective response based on their experience, especially if they know the personalities involved. 
• Develop a solution-focused mindset: Instead of dwelling on the problem, focus on finding solutions. With guidance from your mentor, develop a plan to address the challenge. This not only demonstrates leadership, but it’s also good for maintaining your mental health. 

Improving work habits, handling difficult people, and managing challenging situations with a measured and strategic response are crucial for demonstrating leadership skills and enhancing your promotability. I invite you to consider putting some of these strategies into action. 

In the realm of professional development and leadership, consistency in our actions, no matter how small, can lead to significant transformations. Every email we send, meeting we attend, and project we lead is a reflection of our work ethic and leadership potential. So, use these as opportunities to showcase what you can do. It’s these moments that collectively shape our professional identity and influence how we’re perceived by those we work with. 

Remember, how you do anything is how people will assume you do everything, so make sure you’re intentionally building a reputation you can be proud of. 

And that’s it for this episode of Stop Sabotaging Your Success. Remember to download your Guide to Being More Intentional in the Workplace at cindyesliger.com/podcast, episode one hundred and fourteen.

Thank you to our producer, Alex Hochhausen and everyone at Astronomic Audio. Get in touch, I’m on Instagram @cindyesliger and my email address is info@cindyesliger.com.

If you enjoy listening to this podcast, you have to come check out The Confidence Collective. It’s my monthly coaching program where we dig a little deeper into what’s holding you back in your career, and we find the workarounds. We help you overcome the barriers and create the career you want. Join me over at cindyesliger.com/join. I’d love to have you join me in The Confidence Collective. 

Until next week, I’m Cindy Esliger. Thanks for listening.