Super-Easy Ways to Get More Involved at Work

Super-Easy Ways to Get More Involved at WorkSuper-Easy Ways to Get More Involved at WorkThere are a lot of great tutorials on interviewing for jobs, negotiating a raise, and angling for a promotion. But whats the game plan when youve done all that, and youre finally content with your current employer and your current job?What if you dont want a new slew of responsibilities? What if youre just itching for a little something- a better understanding of how the company operates as a whole, a bite-sized taste of an intriguing job, or, frankly, just a friend in a different department?Well, heres your cheat sheet. Bonus Theres no stress- and very little time- required for any of these strategies.Wanted New FacesSolution Join the ClubI recently came across an old spiral notebook outlining the rules of a club I started in third grade, The Sup Coolios.The rules were hilarious in retrospect Listen during meetings (what meetings?), use the club symbols when passing notes (crude drawing of dog me ant wassup), and always support fellow club members (duh).But my forming such an amazingly awesome club illustrated a desire people of all ages have the need to be part of a community. Its comforting to know theres something that unites you other than a school (or company) name. And if youre content to stay where you are for a while, youll do well to find- or build- some community yourself.Theres always the office softball team. Not your thing? Here are some non-sweaty alternatives.Start a low-key book club to read and discuss short stories or magazine articles. Create a weekly java group that hits up a nearby caf, and dont allow anyone to order the same thing two weeks in a row. Consider ethnic-food Wednesdays, where a group tries a new restaurant every hump day.Whatever your interest, create a group around it. Put up fliers. Tell your friends to tell their friends. And- unlike I did with the Sup Coolios- invite everyone, even other departments, to join in.Why its Worth It Making n ew friends beyond the ones you share a cubicle wall is critical for your sanity and career. Youll get a feel for other departments, other bosses, other operations. And if you do get to the point where youre looking for a different job internally? You just might hear about it over coffee.Wanted New SkillsSolution Tap Others ExpertiseTake a task youre currently working on, and consider people from other teams or departments who could help you make it better (the opposite of passing the buck). Were not talking about taking on a new project with the goal of catapulting you to the next pay grade. Were talking nice, simple steps you can take that give you a little extra on-the-job know-how.For example, Im a reporter. The newsroom recently rolled out an manahme requiring reporters to shoot videos with their stories, when possible. Its not a huge production we use smartphones and simple editing tools. So I could stick to the basics, meet the requirements, and be just fine.But I could also s ee the requirement as an opportunity to learn something new. I could approach a photographer or photo editor who has experience with video, and ask for tips on shooting footage and editing more artfully. Or I could ask to spend 30 minutes watching someone shoot or edit one.Why its Worth It Im not forcing myself to take on a new responsibility Im just doing a better job at one Ive already got. And theres no harm in showing my editor how I executed a tip I learned from a photographer. Because you know whats even more impressive than taking a B+ video and making it an A? Taking the initiative to learn how.Wanted Greater Visibility Solution Become a ConnectorThink back to when you applied for the job you now hold. You knew your strengths and weaknesses and why you were the perfect candidate, but you also studied up on the company- how it operated and how you could contribute both in your role and across the organization.Well, now that youre an insider, its still a good idea to show as m any people as possible how youre contributing.The quickest, easiest, no-stress way to do it Show how a project your team is working on intersects with a project or initiative another team is working on. This doesnt have to be monumental or totally inorganic. For example, I could never suggest that the business reporters start coordinating with the advertising departments latest campaign we operate 100% independently (for a reason). But if my team is working on boosting our stories visibility on the website and getting more search-engine traffic, I could say, You know, itd be great to hear from one of the online team leaders about what types of stories and headlines are getting the fruchtwein hits. Ill see if one of them could spare five minutes to talk strategy sometime this week.Why its Worth It In this example, my role is simple and shouldnt be time-consuming for anyone involved. But it shows initiative. It shows I understand the shared goals of intersecting departments. And it gi ves me an excuse to brush shoulders (organically) with a different set of people. Of course, these arent the only ways to get more involved in your company. You can join subcommittees and task forces. You can ask movers and shakers to coffee.But if youre looking for some big bang for minimal effort (I mean, really, sometimes thats all youve got to spare), consider some of these relatively stress-free, low-commitment alternatives that could help you advance your career- when youre ready- and build some new friendships in the process.Photo of co-workers courtesy of Shutterstock.