Introduction
Many people believe that skills and hard work alone are enough to succeed in life. I, however, beg to differ. There’s an additional element that plays a crucial role—favor.
According to Merriam-Webster, favoritism is “the state or fact of being a favorite.” But what does being a favorite mean? It refers to "a person who is specially loved, trusted, or provided with favors by someone of high rank or authority."
Lastly, favor is defined as “friendly regard shown toward another, especially by a superior.” This is the type of favor I want to focus on in this post. Favor is what separates the excellent from the good when the right opportunities come along.
While I firmly believe that God is the source of favor, I also think that God can use people, whether knowingly or not, to orchestrate success in our lives. In this blog post, I will focus on two key areas where favor plays a role: college and work.
Favoritism in College
Obtaining a college degree requires completing numerous mundane tasks, such as attending office hours, participating in discussion posts, studying for exams, and more. While time management, sacrifice, and resilience are essential for success, is effort alone enough? I don't think so. Favoritism in college plays a subtle, implicit, and often faceless role.
How to Accomplish Your Educational Goals
To gain favor with your professors, you must demonstrate your commitment to excellence and your willingness to achieve your goals. Some ways to do this include:
01. Complete Tasks on Time:
Ensure that you submit assignments on time and complete them well. Professors need to see that you’re putting in the effort.
02. Attend Office Hours:
Bring questions and engage in meaningful discussions.
03. Go to Tutoring and Ask for Extra Credit:
These actions show your determination to succeed.
The excellent student does more than just what is necessary—they go above and beyond. However, it is also important to note that even with all these efforts, some professors may not respond. This is their prerogative.
The Benefits of Favoritism in College
If a professor takes notice of your effort and deems you a student worthy of favor, it can be invaluable. This professor may write you recommendation letters, provide insights into classes, or even offer career advice. Having a professor as an advocate can advance your academic journey significantly, making favoritism a powerful tool for success in college.
Favoritism in the Workplace
Working in corporate America is not for the faint-hearted. Simply performing well or being nice won’t get you the corner office. Strategy is what’s needed. In fact, as recent college graduates, we’ve already been practicing strategy during job interviews when we omit certain details or reframe our answers to serve our goals.
Providing Value to the Company
In the workplace, your performance must demonstrate value. Think beyond your job description. There are two primary ways employees can provide value:
01. Saving the Company Money
02. Maximizing Revenue
If you’re a manager, your goal is to maximize shareholders’ wealth, but no matter your role, you must show that you are indispensable.
Gaining Favor in the Workplace
To be indispensable, ask yourself:
- Do I offer solutions that benefit the company?
If you're unsure, ask your boss directly what challenges they face. They’ll appreciate your initiative to make their life easier. Additionally, ingratiating yourself with those whom your boss relies on can also help. If your boss is reluctant to acknowledge your value, having someone else advocate on your behalf can be highly effective.
Favoritism and Career Advancement
Favoritism in the workplace manifests when your performance, combined with your boss’s awareness of your value, gives you the upper hand. This is the subtle form of favoritism that you can leverage to advance your career. Being perceived as valuable can lead to promotions, raises, and greater opportunities.
Bottom Line
Favoritism exists in both college and the workplace, and learning how to use favor to your advantage can propel you forward. As recent college graduates, it’s important to recognize and harness this concept to get where we want to be.
If you're looking to learn more about standing out in the workplace, check out my video below.
Thank you for reading!
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