#1: Why Checking the Boxes Doesn't Add Value at Work

The Carvery with Alex Dorr

Many people find energy in checking the boxes each day and getting a ton of tasks done on their list. I admit myself that this feels great. However, many don't take a step back to see if all of those boxes they are checking are truly adding value and moving along the higher-value work that would move things forward at a grander scale. This episode is exploring that idea of checking the boxes and how to ensure those tasks are all leveling up to make sure that progress is going in the right direction to our grander goals.

For those that haven't listened to the update podcast. The new format is to read a blog that has been previously released on my Workplace Portal Newsletter that comes out every other Wednesday (get signed up to receive that here!) and after reading, I add a few stories, the inspiration behind the blog, why it was on my mind and/or why I think it can help you continue to move beyond drama in your career.

WANT TO MASTER THE CORE TOOLS AND IDEAS TO DITCH THE DRAMA AT WORK AND COACH YOUR TEAMS TO GREATNESS EACH DAY?

Buy my No Ego: The Reality of Peace, Happiness and Great Results Virtual Course. This is a 2-hour self-lead course that will change the course of your career forever. The 5 sources of drama that will trip you up and exactly how to navigate passed them with our 5 proven tools to do so. Work becomes effortless after completing this course!

Buy my 25 Lessons of Reality-Based Leadership Video Course with Discussion Questions. If your team has found every excuse for why there isn't time to start practicing and learning these ideas I discuss - this course is your solution. Each video is 1-3 minutes with a couple of discussion questions. Hit play, watch the video before your meetings and have a 5 minute discussion. This is the fastest way to start transforming your teams in less than 10 minutes.

Below is the full blog in it's entirety in case you want to share it:

Title: Why checking the boxes doesn't add value

It can be amazing to be surrounded by people that take a list and check off the boxes.

The email you ask them to send, the tasks you ask them to complete, the forms you ask them to fill out or the responses to customers that you need done.

The problem becomes when creating a list of boxes for them to check each day becomes another part of your list. It's always reactive, not proactive.

Simply checking boxes starts to add very little value.

In fact, it may be time to question if it ever does in the modern workplace?

Plenty of team members can send the “check-in” email to the potential sales lead, but if the lead doesn’t get back to them? Oh well, I checked the box and reached out just like you asked me to.

But the goal wasn’t to check the box, it was to make the sale. Or at the very least, ACTUALLY connect with the customer to get a ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

If you’ve whittled your job down to whether or not you checked the boxes today, I can almost assure you that you’re not adding all that much value.

That’s fine for now I suppose, but long-term? We’ll see.

“Check the box” if you read this, but if you’re hoping to add value? You may want to do some reflection and absorb it.

As always, it’s up to you.

-Alex 🚪

If you are looking for a few quick tips on ensuring:

• You are adding value each and every day at work
• Moving from being a box-checker or someone that simply completes tasks into the next level of your career
• Continuing to evolve your understanding of working beyond ego in the workplace

This is a great podcast for you.

I'd love to continue the discussion, hear your responses to the content or read/listen to how you build on these ideas on any of the platforms below:

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

If you'd love for me to speak virtually or in-person at your next event you can check out my Speaker's Page to hire me. Don't miss these raving reviews from some of my recent virtual presentation clients!

ADDITIONAL FREE RESOURCES:

The last few years has really tested our own resilience and called us to learn a ton about ourselves. I created this video with 6 Simple Steps to Build Your Resilience that shows you how to make overcoming obstacles an effortless, not draining experience.

For more videos and tools to continue to evolve your leadership and grow your career effectiveness, be sure to visit my YouTube Channel.

Let's keep ditching the drama, my people.