Psychology at Work - Five Habits of Highly Effective Employees

Jul 28, 2010
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

Using Psychology at Work? - sxc axenteoz

Using psychology at work can lead to promotions, good coworker relationships, and successful careers. These habits of effective employees make work better!

To use psychology at work, employees must be aware of their personality traits, be realistic about their job and lifestyle, and know when to re-evaluate their professional goals. This is work psychology -- which any type of employee can use in any type of job.

These five habits of highly effective employees can change "I hate my job" to "I can't wait until Monday!"

Willing to Use Personality Traits at Work

Succeeding at work doesn't necessarily involve particular personality traits (though a strong work ethic leads to success most of the time!). Work psychology is about being aware of certain personality traits and preferences, and using them to create better coworker relationships and achieve professional goals.

For instance, people with introverted personality traits prefer to work on their own, while extroverts tend to thrive in a group of coworkers. "Early birds" operate best in the morning, while "night owls" are most productive in the afternoon or evening. Effective employees work with their innate personality traits and rhythms – not against them. They don't try to change their personality to suit their jobs.

Realistic About Professional Goals

Highly effective employees set professional goals that aren't in opposition to their personal lives. For instance, if they need to care for young children or elderly parents, they may not be able to put full-time energy and effort into their careers. Employees who are relocating, going back to school, or dealing with health issues may need to scale down on their work responsibilities until they're able to focus on their job.

To succeed, employees must be realistic about their professional goals, which involves taking one's personal life and natural abilities into account.

Comfortable With Career Risks

Effective employees take risks and reward themselves regardless of the outcome. For instance, a career risk can involve speaking up at meetings or applying for a new job in the same company or elsewhere. Career risks can be anything from taking a work psychology course to reading books about nonverbal communication. Each employee has his or her own definition of what a career risk is.

One of the biggest career risks is to be honest about one's strengths and abilities (and setting professional goals that are realistic and achievable!).

Pay Attention to What Works at Work

Effective employees don't blindly do what they've always done. Rather, they know what works for them, and they are deliberate and strategic about doing those things better. Effective employees pay attention to the coworkers who help them succeed, and learn the best ways to cope with coworkers that make work difficult.

Using psychology at work also involves learning how other employees achieve their professional goals. Finding a work mentor and learning from successful employees can be an effective way to increase job satisfaction and succeed on the job.

Adjust What Doesn't Work

Sometimes plans don't work out or fail miserably – even for the most highly effective employees! Sometimes employees need help with tasks, feedback to stay on course, or even the outright elimination of certain work responsibilities. Using psychology at work isn't about making everything perfect; rather, it's about evaluating what doesn't work and adjusting it. After some time has passed, it's time to re-evaluate again.

The most effective employees are positive, flexible, and optimistic about the future. They know that the best way to make work better is to successfully adapt to the inevitable job and career changes!