Have you ever found
yourself saying any of the following: “No one ever knows how much I
contribute around here!” “People only get promoted because of who they
know, not what they do.” “I never get considered for any of the big
assignments.” If so, you may be an Office Wallflower.
Office Wallflowers can
usually be found eating lunch at their desks, working alone at their
computers, sitting quietly in meetings, and avoiding all social
contact. As a result, they are often overlooked. To assess your
wallflower tendencies, try
answering the questions below.
Often
Sometimes
Seldom
How often do
you
. . . .
1.Speak up in meetings and participate in
discussions?
2.Share new ideas and suggestions for improvements?
3.Disagree if someone proposes a bad idea or gives
incorrect information?
4.Make an effort to persuade others that your point
of view is correct?
5.Stand up for yourself if someone confronts you?
6.Discuss issues and problems with your boss?
7.Make people aware of your successes and
accomplishments?
8.Make presentations in meetings?
9.Collaborate with others on projects?
10.Make an effort to learn about other departments or
work groups?
11.Have lunch with your work colleagues ?
12.Ask about your coworkers’ families, interests, and
non-work activities?
13.Tell them about your family, interests, and
non-work activities?
14.Participate in group or company social
activities?
15.Attend conferences and workshops?
The more times you
checked “Seldom”, the more likely you are to be an Office Wallflower.
That’s fine, as long as you’re happy with the result. But if you want
to be promoted, recognized, or assigned to the next big project, you
probably need to make people aware of your talents, knowledge, and
ability to work with others. No one will know what you’re capable of
doing unless you help them find out.
