Everyone wants to be a superstar, which is why choosing a less sought-after position can pay off in spades!
Relatively unknown basketball player Bruce Brown recently found himself the subject of a battle for his services when the Indiana Pacers offered him a two-year deal potentially worth $45M. He took the deal, which is more than Brown made in his five previous seasons combined. Although not the best player on the court, Brown will be the highest-paid player on his team next season. Here’s why this happened.
NBA teams were competing for Brown because of his ability to amplify the performance of the stars around him. He wasn’t the highest scorer for his team or the tallest player. However, those factors don’t capture what he brings to a team.
Here’s what Brown did that you can do as well.
1. Complement the talents of your colleagues. Brown does what needs to be done. He handles the grunt work that enables the superstar players to play their game. By doing so, the team wins, and so does Brown. Think about what you can do at work to free up the superstars, so they can do what they do best.
2. Become a key part of the organizational culture. Brown comes to work every day with a smile on his face and his signature cowboy hat, which increased his fanbase in Denver. People like being around this guy. Consider ways you can best integrate yourself into your company’s culture. Be the person people think of when the company is looking for someone to represent their brand.
3. Be the ideal co-worker. Brown is great at his job and isn’t constantly trying to one-up his co-workers. He helps people who are exceptional at what they do perform slightly better, which is valuable in any business. Consider how you can do the same for your co-workers.
4. He keeps his ego in check. The reason that you may not have heard of Brown is because he’s a low-key guy. He knows his job, which is to make the superstars look great, and he does this better than anyone else. Think about what you do well and how you can shine a light on others. When you do so, their light will shine brightly on you.
The key to Brown’s success wasn’t his basketball-playing skills. Teams were after him for his soft skills.
Soft skills are underrated yet critical for success. The good news is that you can learn soft skills.
Here are some steps you can take to enhance your soft skills.
Self-awareness: Start by assessing your current soft skills. Identify areas where you need improvement and be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses.
Seek feedback: Ask for feedback from colleagues, friends, or mentors about your soft skills. Constructive criticism can provide valuable insights for improvement.
Set clear goals: Define specific soft skills you want to develop. Setting clear goals will give you direction and motivation to work on them.
Observe others: Pay attention to people who excel in the soft skills you want to improve. Observe their behavior, communication style, and how they handle different situations.
Read books and take courses: There are plenty of resources available on soft skills development. Look for books, online courses, or workshops that focus on communication, leadership, and other relevant topics.
Coaching: Seek out a coach who can guide you in developing specific soft skills and provide ongoing support and feedback.
Soft skills can significantly impact your personal and professional life. Being proactive in improving them will benefit your relationships and communication and boost your overall success, well-being, and earning potential.
What are you waiting for? Every day that goes by is a missed opportunity and a cool million or $22M in extra pay for you.
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