Ask the Editor

Dear Editor,

Seeking Job Security

Dear SJS:

As I was pondering your question, a popular police detective show was playing on TV in the background and it got me to thinking that the best advice I can give you – and anyone else who wants to be indispensable to their employer – is to be a “detective” on your job. Tap into your inner detective skills and put them to work. What are some of the top detective skills and how can you use them to become invaluable to your employer?

Listed below are a few ideas:

♠ Problem-solving skills. This is the number one function of a detective. If you solve problems for your new employer, all will go well. On the other hand, make sure you are not a source of problems to the organization. In other words, don’t create problems, solve them.

♠ Observation and listening skills. Detectives must keep their eyes and ears open for clues. In your case, you are keeping your eyes and ears open for clues to problem-solving opportunities. If you do that, you should be able to figure out exactly how you can fill a niche for your employer.

♠ Critical thinking skills. Detectives don’t take information at face value, nor are they locked into narrow thinking. Equally, you should be open to garnering full information and use expansive, out-of-the-box thinking. Just because things are done in a particular way, does not mean they cannot be improved. If you discover an opportunity to solve a problem or improve a process or situation, focus on it and pursue it in a detailed manner.

♠ Research skills. Detectives always research their hunches and ideas to make sure they do not make any mistakes. You should definitely do the same, so that you can justify your thoughts and actions to your employer in a manner in which you can back up with facts.

♠ Communication skills. A detective’s success will often depend on being able to communicate and come across well, so that they can be trusted by others and establish and maintain working relationships. That is done by evaluating the audience, choosing the right vocabulary, using the proper voice inflection, and demonstrating empathy. Once others see you as “human,” real and reasonable, they will be more open to assisting you.

So, SJS, there it is. Dust off your Sherlock Holmes’ hat and get to work!

The Editor