How to Excel at Work:
Proven strategies for achieving superior work performance By Bili Odum , narrated by russell newton.
Bili Odum’S Little Book Is Like The Mustard Seed.
Its impact will spread well beyond the wildest dream of the author.| In simple
and straightforward narrative,
Bili has joined the motley crowd of Nigerians who seek to reintroduce morals
into our value system.
A few generations of Nigerians have grown up not knowing the real difference
between good and bad.
For them the end justifies the means.
Hard work,
Perseverance,
Dedication,
Integrity and Loyalty come to them by fits and starts and in convenient
measures only.
Here is someone – of their generation – telling them in a believable
manner,
that there is another side to life.
The reader will need some patience to reconcile some apparent conflicts in the
book.
Two examples .- In Part Iv,
the author admonishes,
“Never argue with your boss."
In Part Vi,
he strongly suggests,
“Stand up for your subordinates."
How do you stand up for your subordinates in the face of a difficult boss?
Argue?
Dispute?
Persuade?
Surrender?
Acquiesce?
Give up?
Reduce your point of view to writing when all else has failed?
Then you have exposed him to ridicule!
The path is strewn with thorns.
The young person must pick his way carefully.
In Part Iv,
under Get Personal,
the author suggests that the employee develops a database of his employer
because “the effective use of the database can make you ride your way into
his heart."
This can mean many things to many persons.
In our environment,
it can lead to all sorts of consequences.
It will help employees and employers as well.
Such a pity that my role is limited to writing this Foreword which 1 am so very
pleased to do.
Mr. I. S. Moemeke Chairman,
Board of Directors Lintas Limited Acknowledgments.
This book would not have been possible without the undeniable assistance of
Edwin Balogun,
Chiedu Charles Odum,
Rotimi Soboyejo and Yinka Aiyetigbo.
1 also want to thank Mr. I. S. Moemeke for the inspirational support and many
invaluable comments and contacts that he provided.
My sincere thanks also goes to my precious mum,
Mrs. Lucy Uche Odum;
my dear brothers,
Martin,
Mike,
Onyema and Chiedu;
and my sweetheart,
Alice Emem Odum.
Finally,
1 would like to say thank you to my superiors,
colleagues,
subordinates,
and friends who continue to excel at the workplace and are by no small means
contributing to the institution of the culture of excellence.
Introduction.
“The proper function of man is to live,
not to exist."
Are You Tired Of Remaining On The Same Spot?
Do you wish to be at a higher and respectable position in your organisation?
Are you anxious to make that indelible mark in your field and be regarded as an
achiever?
Do you wish to advance upwards with the achievers,
rather than be left behind with those who have embraced mediocrity?
Do you want to gain that competitive edge and stand out amongst your
contemporaries?
Have you always lost out in getting that promotion you so desperately desire,
and now feel that it is about time you mastered the art of winning in the
workplace?
Do you strongly desire to be appreciated in the workplace as an indispensable
worker?
Do you want total job satisfaction and accomplishment?
Do you wish to be an inspiration to your colleagues and subordinates?
If you answered Yes to any of the questions,
then this is the ideal book for you.
How To Excel At Work — Proven Strategies For Achieving Superior Work
Performance is a store of extensively researched,
time-tested and proven strategies and techniques that you can gain mastery of
and apply in any workplace to put yourself on the path of career success.
You may ask,
“Why do 1 need to acquire the strategies and techniques when I have a
repertoire of academic honours?"
Unlike what used to be the situation,
say,
20 years ago,
academic qualifications alone do not guarantee that you would be a worker of
distinction.
Look around you.
It is clear that a significant number of the top achievers in any profession,
workplace,
etc. are more often than not the individuals with average qualifications.
So,
educational qualification,
though necessary,
is obviously not a sufficient requirement for career success.
Academic qualifications and honours can enhance your chances of getting a good
job and,
for a certain period of time,
keep you on that job.
They do not guarantee career distinction.
“Today you cannot accomplish your goals by simply working longer and harder.
You must also work smarter.
You must increase the quality of what you do at the same time you increase the
quantity of your work."
The mastery and application of proven skills for career success is a certified
route to distinction in the workplace.
They assure your movement towards the pinnacle of your career without hurting
others in the process.
In fact these skills when effectively applied end up being beneficial to
everyone - yourself,
the organisation,
your bosses,
colleagues and subordinates.
The possession of these skills with a good measure of diligence,
consistency and patience would make you a better worker and an indispensable
asset to your bosses and colleagues as well as an inspiring leader to your
subordinates.
These benefits,
in turn,
over time would make you the most qualified candidate for a promotion,
increased remuneration and any other kind of benefit you desire from your
career.
The skills,
strategies and techniques that will guarantee your success in the workplace are
articulately presented and thoroughly explained in this book,
which is divided into 8 parts.
Part 1,
How To Recognise And Eliminate Obstructive Career Misconceptions,
identifies those negative misconceptions which most people have about work,
and has,
more than anything else,
placed them where they are (which is not so good),
instead of moving them up to the top of the Corporate Tower.
You would learn how to avoid these misconceptions and therefore eliminate the
consequences.
Part Ii,
How To Empower Yourself For Career Distinction,
presents skills that would enable you experience an easy “take- off” on
your journey to the top of your career.
The techniques and strategies in this section are based on the premise that the
quest for success starts with the individual,
and until he/she is prepared to improve personally,
the desire to excel at work and achieve career distinction would be a mere
dream.
Part IiI,
How To Become An Indispensable Worker,
exhaustively treats skills that are required by you to create a strong impact
in the workplace and make you indispensable.
In this Part,
you will realise that those who make themselves indispensable have an excellent
chance of attaining career success.
Part Iv,
How To Effectively Manage Your Boss,
instructs you on how you can apply the strategies and techniques presented to
genuinely impress your boss(es).
Undoubtedly,
your boss plays a crucial role in your journey to the top of your career.
Winning the support and commendation of your superiors would not be a problem
for the possessor of the skills presented in Part Iv Part 5,
How To Manage And Successfully Relate With Your Colleagues,
teaches you numerous ways in which you can get your colleagues in the workplace
on your supportive side as you proceed to the top.
Like bosses,
your colleagues can either enhance or frustrate your chances of achieving
career success.
Therefore,
the mastery of the skills presented in this Part would be of immense advantage
to you.
Part Vi,
How To Be A Workplace Leader,
presents potent leadership skills you should apply in the workplace to enable
you effectively motivate and win the undivided support of your subordinates.
Many workers,
have made the fatal mistake of perceiving subordinates as being insignificant.
Little do they realise that their ability to manage their subordinates
advertise their suitability to take on the responsibilities of higher positions.
Part Vii,
Your Career And Your Future,
would enable you realise that there are really no limits to career success,
that success is not a destination,
but a journey.
One level of accomplishment is just a stepping stone to another higher level.
This part presents further strategies and techniques that would expand your
perception and inspire you to achieve Total Career Success.
Finally,
Part ViiI,
Success Notes from Top Executives,
furnishes you with insights that only top achievers can provide.
From Dr. Kolade to Mr. Ohiwerei,
from Mr. Onosode to Mr. Nwosu,
the pathway to career success is clearly explained by a few Nigerians who have
distinguished themselves and earned the right to show us the way.
By the time you get to the end of this book,
you would realise that it is possible to be an outstanding success in your
chosen career.
You would see that opportunities for excelling at work are legion.
You would learn that such opportunities for success are veiled and need to be
unlocked through effort.
Career success requires,
more than anything else,
focused and consistent effort.
Once again,
1 would like to remind you that this book is aimed at presenting techniques and
strategies,
the proper understanding and application of which should propel you to the top
of the Corporate Tower.
Achieving career success means many different things to different people.
It could be any or all of the following .- Being promoted from your present
level to the next.
Receiving a rich monthly salary with other benefits.
Lots of subordinates to supervise.
Power.
Security.
Fame.
Comfort.
When you possess and apply proven career success techniques and strategies,
you increase by many times your chances of succeeding in the workplace.
This book has been designed to be your guide and coach.
We know that you would find it useful and instructive.
It will expose you to those things you never knew could enhance your chances of
success in the workplace.
In some cases,
you would discover that you are familiar with some techniques but you may have
taken its efficacy for granted.
It is not intended that you only know these strategies.
We expect that you would gradually adopt the techniques and strategies as part
of your Career Enhancement Strategy.
You must apply the principles consistently and be on the lookout for
opportunities that you can take advantage of.
Do not be discouraged at any point.
Success at work and in your career is a progressive affair that requires
patience,
faith and continuous effort.
And,
in a short while,
distinction and all its rewards would be yours.
“The two most important qualities of success are focus and concentration.
Focus means knowing what exactly it is you want and concentration means having
the discipline to concentrate single-mindedly on one thing,
the most important thing,
until it is complete."
This has been
How to Excel at Work:
Proven strategies for achieving superior work performance By Bili Odum , narrated by russell newton.