10. Show up on time.

Nothing earth shattering here. But believe me, not showing up on time is the easiest and fastest way to hurt your credibility and lose respect amongst your team members.

9. Act like you care.

We all have to do things in our job that we would rather not do. The boring stuff. The things that are not challenging and have no bearing on our professional development. Don’t complain, suck it up.

8. Learn more.

Get a mentor. Join a professional organization. Pursue professional certifications or designations. Job shadow with other departments. Become indispensable by accumulating experience, knowledge, skills and abilities.

7. Get Self-Aware

Take the PI, DISC or Myers Briggs assessments and do some self-reflection. Know what you do well and build on it. Recognize what you suck at, forgive yourself and move on. It’s easier to work on your strengths.

6. Perform like every day is an interview for your next job.

If you work for a strategic, forward-thinking organization, the Senior Leadership will no doubt  have a succession plan. They will recruit with an eye towards determining who their high-potential employees are. Be the employee they think of during these conversations.

5. Stretch yourself.

Volunteer for a challenging project, jump on a cross-functional team, get a seat on the company wellness committee.

4. Up your Emotional IQ

Build meaningful relationships with your coworkers inside and outside of your department or team. Know people’s names. Ask them questions. Get to know them.

3. Do not make excuses.

Own your accomplishments and most certainly own your mistakes and failures. Learn from them. Show some accountability. No one respects the peer who deflects blame, spins reality in their favor and scapegoats.

2. Be the champion of you.

You are your own best advocate. Get constructive feedback from your manager and peers early and often. Keep a diary or file of the things you knock out of the park and don’t let your manager forget.

1. Get Shit Done.

Period.