For over three years, there’s been an albino squirrel living in our neighborhood. A quick Google search reveals that the odds of seeing one of these rare little guys are one in 100,000. He's an exceptional creature who’s managed to survive even though he completely stands out against the backdrop of his environment. Every time I see him, I'm awed by his rare beauty, but also aware of the daily challenges he must face because he's so different.
If you've done any shopping recently, there's no doubt you've seen a growing trend of mediocrity among employees. Unfortunately, it seems to be the norm in retail. Believe it or not, one of the big box retailers I used to work with actually adopted an attendance policy that you were not considered late for work until 15 minutes after your shift began. This was in response to an epidemic of tardiness. I assume they felt like they had to do this because so many employees were failing to meet the basic expectation of being on time. Many factors have driven this toxic trend and it doesn't seem like it's going to change anytime soon.
As a result of this new climate, my message to my kids who are getting ready to enter the working world is simple: BE EXCEPTIONAL! I love the word "exceptional" because it not only carries the simple definition of being different, but also the implication of being great. Everyone in the workplace today has a growing opportunity to stand out simply by doing the things that generations before took for granted. Here are four simple behaviors that may set you apart among today's workforce if implemented consistently:
Be on time. In our society, I truly believe that being late has become an epidemic. I once heard an office worker actually say, "Why should I be on time...no one else is”. Think about it. When you throw a party these days, it's rare to have anyone ringing your doorbell when it starts. They're all "Fashionably late”. Also, when was the last time you told someone to arrive ten minutes earlier than necessary because you knew they would be late otherwise? Tardiness may be normal, but exceptional people are always where they are supposed to be at the expected time. The key is obviously planning for the unexpected.
Dress for success. (My mother will be so proud to see me list this one.) Without question, our society has adopted a much more casual dress code. I must admit, I absolutely love it! I do believe it can create a more comfortable environment for customers, but it also makes it harder to determine the line of going too far. Therefore, to be exceptional, we must learn the difference between casual and sloppy. Jeans may be absolutely appropriate, but holes, wrinkles, stains, and saggy pants will likely even cross the line today.
Learn how to type a proper email. I have been horrified by some of the emails I have received from very smart and professional people. Missing punctuation, slang, improper capitalization, and improper word choices are sadly rampant in today's corporate world. I've also seen a lot of misspelled words. (Hello...spell check is a free service!) Before hitting "send" on a professional email, an exceptional person will always use the tools available to them to make sure it represents them well.
Let your work reflect your standard not the norm. Some folks worry way too much about what other people are doing. I've actually known people who have slowed their pace or reduced their effort because the people around them weren't working as hard as they were. Sometimes it's a result of peer pressure, but sometimes it's just because they feel like they can slack off without being noticed by leadership. Exceptional people know that a sluggish work environment provides a wealth of opportunities for advancement. They don't get promoted at the expense of their peers, but often in spite of them.
So, if you find yourself working in an environment that is riddled with mediocrity, strive to be the albino squirrel! Yes, you will be easier to spot by predators, but you will also be cherished by those who recognize the value of your uniqueness.