- Just ask. Sometimes opportunities won’t present themselves, but if you just ask, you might find that a door opens for you.
- Inflection points. What changed? How did you get started with that?
- Can I join?
- What's your opinion?
- How does my request fit in your priority list?
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Listen for intent. Take the time to drill down and get where people are really coming from. By being better tuned in to the signals we're getting, we're a lot more effective adding value to the product.
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Create the minimum thing. Create the tiniest chunks of truth that enable your customers to get the job done. Give your docs the Twitter test. Figure out the key things your reader needs to know, and get them there fast.
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Own the experience. First, own your docs. Second, be the bridge that binds the product together. Own the product.
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Be a lifelong learner.
- Choose an some programming or scripting tools and build an automation library. You might use PowerShell or Python. Consider learning regular expressions. You can learn in little bursts.
- Teaching is also a great way to add value to your organization. You never really know something until you can teach it.
- Mentoring is great, at any stage of your career.
- Know your strengths, but also take time to work on opportunities for development.
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Opt in. Seize opportunities, don't wait to work to be assigned to you. This is the flip side of just ask. Someone else just asked. Take them up on it.
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Use the power of storytelling. Whatever company or culture you're part of, people crave stories. This means that storytelling is one of the most valuable skills you can learn.
A tiny but mighty bonus tip: Give praise. This only takes a couple minutes, but it's incredible how many people don't do it. Try it and you will discover the highest benefit to cost ratio you'll ever see.
- Invisible Ink, and other work by Brian McDonald
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey
- @tedhudek