Are You An Asset or Liability?

Are you perceived as an Asset or a Liability to those you work with in school, at your internship, or as a young professional in the corporate world? Although some of us would never admit it to others, we sometimes already know the answer.

Racism is real, but racism aside, a lot of people simply aren't delivering value everyday to the people and teams that depend on them daily. Racism didn't hold millions of other Black executives from achieving, the rule of the jungle was / and is to move forward in spite of racism, to demonstrate your professional value, and not to let others deny you what is rightfully yours.

Being perceived as a liability costs you in promotion opportunities, being selected for high profile projects, cost you in salary, and being invited to interact with elite networks where decisions and opportunities are decided. People invest time and effort in people they see as valuable, they will not invest in those that are seen as "tolerated" or draining liabilities on their teams, projects, and resources.

Here are some tough professional questions to ask yourself. If you are honest congratulations, you can develop a plan and connect with people to improve your performance and outlook in these areas. If you are not honest and lie to yourself, I can guarantee that you will eventually slip into the "blame game" and professional mediocrity.

After answering each question ask yourself, based on my response and given the context of my current work environment, would I be perceived as a liability or an asset?

• Is your reputation impeccable? If not why?



• If asked would most people say you can be counted on to deliver?



• Could you be replaced easily?



• Do others believe you eliminate unnecessary barriers to get work done?

• Are you well versed in the latest technology in your field?

• If asked would others say you deliver your work in a timely manner?



• Do others believe you can handle sensitive issues?



• If asked would most people say you are accessible in a timely manner?



• Would most in your immediate circles if asked say you are a "doer" or a "complainer"?



• In your circles do you continuously discusses how hard you work? Do you think this is valued, or perceived as you are struggling to perform your duties?



• Are you satisfied with your ability to turn out high quality work quickly?



• Do you have a mastery of the critical management processes required to deliver in your field?



• Will your current professional colleagues vouch for you in a crisis?



• Do you take off a lot of time being sick or for personal issues?



• If you were out tomorrow from work would anyone miss you?



• Are you a team player, able to work with and lead people from different races and the multiple generations now working in today's workforce?

• Are there other people that you work with who are more known for getting the job done than you?



• Are you perceived as an "ideas person," but sometimes struggle to bring projects to completion?



• Who are your closest 4 professional colleagues? Why?

• Are you compensated properly for what you do?

Let us know what you think.

Kim R. Wells

kwells@howard.edu