Maximizing Your Potential II: Show your Strengths!

5 min readJan 2, 2023

Together with ChatGPT + Dall-E and over 9 years of experience in the IT world I’ve decided to release this article that provides practical tips and techniques for making the most of your skills and abilities in the workplace.

It covers a range of topics, including how to highlight your strengths and accomplishments, how to handle challenging situations with confidence, and how to continuously develop your skills and expertise. Whether you are just starting out in your career or are looking to take the next step in your professional development, this article offers valuable insights and strategies for maximizing your potential and achieving success in the workplace.

Interview Q: “Tell me about yourself?”

Don’t :

Walk them in a chronological order through your resume.. It’s boring and they have already read it..

Do:

Highlight the roles from your past that are most closely aligned to the role that you are applying for. Be sure to make the connection between the experiences you had and the capabilities you built through those roles and what you’ll be responsible for doing if you get the new job.

Never use ‘very’ again

“Very” is an adverb that means to a high degree or extent. It is often used to emphasize or intensify the meaning of the adjective or verb it is modifying. However, using the same word repeatedly can make your writing or speech monotonous and uninteresting. To avoid this, you can use a variety of synonyms to convey the same meaning. Some alternatives to “very” include “extremely,” “highly,” “exceptionally,” “notably,” “particularly,” “seriously,” “significantly,” “substantially,” “unusually,” “very much,” and others. These words can help you add variety and depth to your language, and make your writing and speaking more engaging and effective.

Instead of: “Very easy “ use “Effortless”
Instead of: “Very hard” use “Difficult”
Instead of: “Very quick” use “Rapid or Fast”
Instead of: “Very noisy” use “Deafening”
Instead of: “Very funny” use “Hilarious”
Instead of: “Very rich” use “Wealthy”
Instead of: “Very dirty” use “Filthy”
Instead of: “Very happy” use “Ecstatic”
Instead of: “Very busy” use “Swamped”

Communicate Effectively

“Does taking on all this extra work come with extra pay?”

With my role expanding is there a plan to review my title and compensation to better reflect these additional responsibilities?

“Stop promising unrealistic timelines”

Can you walk me through your thinking on these timelines? I have some hesitations with the dates shared.

“I have not been properly trained on this”

Is training available in order for me to successfully complete this?

“If you have me scheduled in meetings all day, when do you expect me to get this work done?“

My calendar is currently heavily scheduled with meetings. To ensure appropriate time is available to get this done I can sit out of lower priority ones this week or extend the deadline on this project. Please let me know which is preferred.

Player 3 has entered the game: ChatGPT

“Does taking on all this extra work come with extra pay?”

“Will I receive additional compensation for taking on this additional workload?”

Alternatively, you could also say:

“Is there a salary increase or other form of financial remuneration associated with accepting this additional workload?”

It is important to be clear and direct in your communication, especially when discussing work-related matters such as compensation. Using professional language and being specific in your request can help ensure that your needs are understood and considered.

“Stop promising unrealistic timelines”

“It would be more productive to set realistic deadlines and work towards meeting them.”
“Unrealistic timelines can lead to unnecessary stress and decreased productivity. Let’s aim for achievable goals and deadlines.”
“In the interest of meeting our goals efficiently, it would be helpful to set realistic deadlines that take into consideration the necessary resources and time required.”
“Promising unrealistic timelines can set us up for disappointment and failure. Let’s be realistic and set goals that are achievable within a reasonable timeframe.”

It is important to be tactful and respectful in your communication, especially when addressing a sensitive or potentially controversial topic. Using a respectful and professional tone can help ensure that your message is received in a constructive manner and can lead to more productive discussions and resolution of the issue.

“I have not been properly trained on this”

“I do not feel adequately prepared to complete this task as I have not received the necessary training.”
“I am unable to complete this task to the best of my abilities as I have not received the required training.”
“I am not confident in my ability to complete this task effectively as I have not received the necessary training and support.”
“I am not equipped to handle this task as I have not received the appropriate training and guidance.”

It is important to be honest and direct in your communication, especially when discussing issues related to your work and responsibilities. By being clear and professional in your language, you can effectively convey your concerns and needs and work towards finding a solution.

“If you have me scheduled in meetings all day, when do you expect me to get this work done?“

“Given my schedule for today, how do you propose that I allocate my time to complete this task?”
“Can you please clarify how you envision me fitting this task into my schedule, given the number of meetings I have scheduled for today?”
“I am concerned about finding the time to complete this task, given the amount of meetings I have on my schedule for today. Can we discuss a plan for how to prioritize and allocate my time effectively?”
“Given the demands on my time today, I am unsure how to balance the completion of this task with my other scheduled commitments. Could we discuss a plan to ensure that I am able to complete this work efficiently?”

It is important to be respectful and professional when communicating with your supervisor or colleagues, especially when addressing potentially sensitive or challenging issues. By being clear and direct in your language, you can effectively convey your concerns and work towards finding a solution that meets your needs and the needs of the team.