voice

We assume that doing a better job will, in a fair universe (and workplace), result in a higher appraisal from one’s supervisor. What has been less obvious to researchers is whether you can also influence that appraisal by voluntarily helping coworkers with their workplace problems and/or speaking up with innovative suggestions for change.

Steven Whiting and his colleagues have moved passed mere correlation to the world of causation and have concluded that “helping” and “voice” behaviors have an independent, significant impact on the boss’s performance evaluation, above and beyond mere task performance.

So, work hard, be helpful, and speak up (helpfully) if you want a raise.