Three Ways to Improve Unspoken Signals You're Sending at the Office

We all send subliminal signals from time to time whether it's our body language (yawn...wait, we swear we're not snoozing in front of you), attitude or behavior. Per this piece on U.S. News & World Report, there are a few things you may want to slightly tweak to get your game on. 1. Watch your crowd. Simply stated, you are who you hang out with. If you hang out with people who constantly complain, you'll be associated with complainers. And even though your work may shine on its own, that's not good enough. Your total package includes your work in addition to how you're perceived. One way to tweak it? Spend time with high achievers in the office. In the piece, Alison Green points out you're "likely to be perceived as having a similar work ethic and values (and those things can rub off on you in reality too)." 2. What time you leave each day. Do you stroll in at 9:30 a.m. when the day should technically start at 9 a.m. on the dot? Do you jet out of the office at the five o'clock whistle no matter what? It may show you're not committed to your work. That said, it's a double-edged sword. If you're consistantly staying longer than your peers, you may be viewed as incompetent. Her advice? "Better than each of these is a more balanced approach – not running out the door at the stroke of five each day, but leaving around the same time most other people do." 3. What you wear. Again, your work will not stand for itself. Your whole package includes just that -- how you package it. And by it we mean you. And yes, we knew you knew that (speaking of, is it five o'clock yet? Kidding.) Dressing for the job you want, not the one you have is key. Does your boss always look polished? And how about his or her boss' boss? Walk the walk and look the part by making a few tweaks such as choosing to opt for khakis instead of jeans. Taking yourself more seriously usually results in others viewing you in a new light as well. She adds in the piece, "Fairly or not, people have an easier time picturing you managing others, doing higher-profile work and dealing with clients when you look polished and well put together."

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Three Ways to Improve Unspoken Signals You're Sending at the Office

Vicki Salemi

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Vicki Salemi