Stop Super-Employee Scare Tactics!

Finally, upper management has granted you the long-awaited head-count increase. You run a classified ad, interview several candidates, and hire Johnny Jump-up, a promising young hotshot, to work in your department. Reporting directly to you, Johnny brings energy, enthusiasm, and an extreme work ethic to every effort he undertakes.

At first, your super-employee simply makes you look good. After all, you're his boss. Before long, however, the higher-ups begin to give the young Mr. Jump-up your spot in the golf foursome or your seat at the power lunch table.

It doesn't take a Harvard MBA to read the writing on the conference room wall.

How can you gain and train great employees without endangering your own job security?

Hire excellent people, and expect them to excel. Then be excellent as well. In fact, be better!

Too many unfortunate middle managers assume that they can delegate all the tough assignments to their ambitious and talented employees. By passing the projects this way, they can actually derail their own professional progress. As events and responsibilities come up, a savvy manager will select strategic spots where he can shine best, before assigning other items to his departmental employees. Never pass along a project that might give you an opportunity to make a mark!

Dynamic staffers with a fair share of initiative will want to advance. If you are advancing too, then all will be well. You can move up, and you will have already mentored your replacement. Upper management will beam with pride, as your loyal team comes alongside you. Everyone wins!

However, if those staffers attempt to leapfrog past you in the organizational food chain, then you may jeopardize your own career. How can you prevent this?

Identify Your Over-Achievers.

Realize that your most assertive employees will also be your most aggressive ones! They have the fire in their bellies! This makes them an asset to your department. Use this to everyone's best advantage. Give these fiery folks increasing levels of responsibility and workload. Keep them busy with constructive, challenging tasks. But watch these folks carefully!

Appreciate the Higher Standards.

Recognize that the bar has now been raised! Expectations have accelerated in your company. If you wish to retain your position of authority, then you will be required to muster up an increasing level of achievement and creativity. You will have to earn the respect of those you supervise, as well as those above you in the corporate hierarchy, every day.

Keep Copies of Key Items.

Retain careful files! Document everything you do, and be sure to give credit to your high achievers when it is due them. (The same applies for accountability, even when blame is due.) Keep copies of all personnel reviews, including your own. Collect and file all printed praise you receive for your own successes.

Reinforce Relationships.

Without becoming a sycophant, be sure to affirm your status and contacts with your higher-ups. Stay current on in-house job openings, particularly those that will advance your own career. If you are a high-achiever, like those you supervise, then you will be expected to move up!

Never forget that you are the pilot of your own progress. Be ever-mindful that your staffers are thinking the same thing.

If everyone is moving forward, then there will be room for all!