How Do I Get More Resonsibility at Work?

May 16, 2008 12:00 AM by Cubicle Coach | 100 Views,  COMMENTS

Dear CC: I'm a junior member of a staff, and I feel capable of a lot more. But I don't want to push because I'm afraid my fellow juniors will resent me for making them look unambitious.

There's a big difference between backstabbing and good, healthy striving. Go to your boss and ask for more. Better still, tell her what more you want and why you're suited for it. CC's watchword for the decade (the modern version of "Plastics") is "Fill needs." Every boss wants people to make her life easier, and the more you do that, the more you'll shine. Figure out what's not being attended to properly in the office and offer to take it on. Rather than undermining your colleagues, you're raising the bar on what is possible for them, too. At least you can tell yourself that as you trample them on your climb to greater heights.

Email cubiclecoach@marieclaire.com with your thorny workplace questions.

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