Stand Up & Stand Out: The 5 P’s of Getting Noticed While Working from Home By Kimberly A. Ferguson

Working from a “home office” has become the new normal for many of us. While it certainly has its perks (flexibility, independence, etc.), it does come with a number of new challenges. One challenge that I’m seeing employees face more and more, is staying relevant in this changing workplace. Over the past few weeks, this question has come up repeatedly: How can employees stand up and stand out while working from home?

Staying relevant while working from home is simple. Just remember the 5 P’s of Getting Noticed: Presence, Positivity, Persistence, Promotion, and Progress

Presence: One of my favorite strategies is staying present through the practice of mindfulness. Social Isolation is not easy and can have a toll on our emotional state, and an impact on our interactions with others. Practicing mindfulness allows us to be “consciously present”, pay attention to what is happening at the moment, and manage our feelings and emotions.

Positivity: Our attitudes matter. No matter how grim or dark a situation may appear, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Of course, we must first be present to pay attention to cues the situation gives us. This allows us to approach the situation properly. But we must also tap into the power of positivity, and embrace a “can-do” approach. Instead of focusing on what cannot be done, or what is not working, let’s focus on what we can do to move forward.

Persistence: We’ve heard it said before, and we were taught as children that “if at first, we don’t succeed”, we should “try, try again”. It is important now (more than ever) to practice this, in an effort to position ourselves as persistent problem-solvers. Don’t give up! Instead, as you’re working from home, look for opportunities, and take the initiative to streamline processes and solve problems. Don’t wait to be asked. And be persistent in your efforts to get your ideas heard and problems solved!

Promotion: If you read my book “Marketing You: Be STRATEGIC”, you know I am a fan of self-promotion. Just because we are working from home does not mean that our self-marketing efforts should cease. Instead, we should be ramping up our efforts. We should keep track of our accomplishments, and communicate our progress, “wins”, and solutions to challenges -- with our managers. Schedule regular one-on-ones to provide updates, seek out new opportunities to contribute, and welcome feedback.

Progress: Take advantage of this time to focus on progress and strategically shape your future. Do an honest assessment of the areas in which you are strongest and the areas in which you could improve. Subscribe to industry publications, participate in eLearning, and attend relevant webinars to keep up with industry trends. Include your progress plans in your one-on-one conversations with your managers.

Incorporating the 5 P’s into your daily work strategy will help strengthen your personal power, increase your visibility, and establish a positive, can-do reputation for delivering results.


Kimberly A. Ferguson is a learning & development consultant, career development facilitator, trainer, certified educator, and a regular contributor for the Trenton365 Radio Show.

Twitter: @kfergspeaks

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