Eleven ways to excel in a modern workplace

There has been a dynamic shift in how organisations work and how we manage our career, which no longer has a linear career path. Successful, modern organisations have a distinct and powerful corporate culture. Such organisations today are not afraid to innovate and change over time. In such a scenario, an employee needs to understand the organisation in depth and also be agile enough to adapt accordingly to emerge successful in the long run.

Here are a few tips for people to succeed in a modern workplace:

1. Understand the market position of your organisation: Know the positioning of your organisation and how it is competing in the market - when you understand this, you are able to work in line with the mission of the organisation, and also make sense of strategic decisions.

2. Participate in the core of what your organisation does: Every organisation has activities which are core to it and those that are secondary. Try and work in the core functions of the organisation; there are more opportunities there.

3. Try out new ideas: Do not shy away from trying out new ideas. Everyone comes with their own skill set. Be confident about your skill as they were one of the reasons why you were chosen for the job. So go ahead and feel empowered, pitch new ideas and let your expertise do the talking.

4. Be a team player: As part of a team, it is important to cooperate, coordinate and collaborate. Collaboration is one of the primary keys to success when working together in a team and so is agility. As a member of a team, you need to coordinate the tasks at hand and cooperate with the other members. You need to be responsible for the team and also be accountable for your work as an individual. The best team members are good listeners and constructive communicators.

5. Align your personal and professional goals: No one can define success for us. Know what success means to you and accordingly align your personal and professional expectations and goals, for a healthy work-life balance. Take out time for yourself. Work needs to be an enabler for well-being in your professional as well as personal life. Take an activerole in managing your own career.

6. Engage in continuous learning: Continuous learning at work is about expanding your skill in line with the changing work environment and developments. You need to learn from the feedback you receive from managers as well as peers. You can learn as you contribute to projects, interact with your peers and participate in organisational trainings. The best way to learn is by asking questions. Also, make sure you evaluate your own performance regularly.

7. Don't be afraid to fail: It takes a number of iterations to achieve a successful result, so it's vital to embrace failure. When you try something new, you'll encounter some surprises; good and bad both. Learn from the bad ones and polish your strengths.

8. Make friends at work: Yes, it is absolutely okay to make friends at work. It is definitely good to be in an environment where you are comfortable with your peers. Having cordial relationships at work builds trust and helps people get out of their silos and brainstorm to work more effectively. Remember that contentment at work is most important.

9. Bring a positive attitude to the task at hand: We spend one-third of our day at work and need to be happy for ourselves and the people we work and interact with. Approaching the task at hand with an open mindset and a positive attitude goes a long way.

10. Believe in yourself: Unless you have confidence in yourself, it will be difficult to convince others to build trust in your abilities. Regularly update your skills and remind yourself of your achievements to stay confident and optimistic at the workplace.

11. Experience over titles: Your work experience matters more than your designation. We are at the tail end of a traditional corporate hierarchy and need to rethink our priorities at the workplace. We need to think out of the box and make an impact; your experience with people and projects will advance your career. Push yourself out of your comfort zones to take on more challenging responsibilities. Job titles will make their way to you.