How to recognise your value when you're not on the front line

You feel like you're achieving nothing at work, but is that really true? If you're in a role that doesn't always produce immediate, visible results, and you don't have 'to do' list that you can satisfyingly tick off every day, it can be easy to find yourself struggling to see the value you add.

Is it just you?

In short, far from it. There are many roles in business that either by need or circumstance involve longer timescales for seeing results.

But don't confuse less visible progress with a lack of activity. There's generally more work than you can throw a stick at, but getting things over the line takes longer. This is often the case in centres of excellence and niche teams where thinking, researching, designing and planning sit at the heart of the work.

Whether one style of role is better or worse depends on your personal preference and interest, but we often miss the fact that they need a different approach and a different mindset.

The challenge

If you're in a role that doesn't have a constant stream of immediate wins, how do you see the value you add?

Where do you find the evidence that you can do it and that you do deliver results when your inner mind chatter is telling you on repeat that you're out of your depth?

If this is compounded by isolation from remote working, or a leader that shares little to no feedback, it's easy to find yourself in a bleak and miserable place, feeling lost, doubting your capability and your self-esteem in tatters.

This was one of my clients recently, and me a few years ago, so I know first-hand how hard the struggle can be.

See your value

If this is you, here's what you can do:

Recognise and accept that your role is different

Neither better nor worse, or of more or less value than any other role, just different and may involve longer timescales before you can see the results of your work. And importantly that that's ok.

Check-in on how your inner judge is measuring you (and whether it's fair)

Make sure you're not measuring yourself against those fast-past, frontline roles that either you've been in before, or you're comparing yourself to now. Match your inner success criteria to the reality of what can be done.

Break the big goals down

The smaller the better so you can see progress and tick off the list as you go. Big, hairy audacious goals might sound impressive but in reality, can feel overwhelming and demotivating if you don't break them down into manageable steps. Try to focus on just that one next step. 

Don't overlook the small things

Even when the final outcome feels a long way off, you may be making valuable progress through smaller achievements, whether it's conversations, packs, plans, designs, they're all steps to the end goal and they all matter.

For example, completing a piece of research, resolving a problem, improving a process or helping a colleague make a decision can all be meaningful contributions, even if they don't produce an immediate, visible result.

Challenge yourself to notice these at the end of every day/week. The sense of achievement you may gain from recognising these small wins can help boost your morale and help you see the value you're adding. 

You're not on your own

Whatever you do, don't struggle in silence, talking about it and getting a different perspective on the situation may help you gain a clearer understanding of your contribution and feel more confident about how you're performing.

If you need some help seeing your value and finding your purpose, get in touch, and let’s have a chat about how career and confidence coaching with me can help.