10 good working habits for successful CAs
A successful career has a lot to do with acquiring and sticking to good habits. Here are 10 good working habits for CAs:
1. Ask questions
It is the best way to learn in any role. It is better for you to ask questions than to act like you know it all. It’s OK to say: “I am not sure, but I will get back to you with an answer by the end of the day.”
2. Always be honest
With yourself and with others. Your integrity as a CA is your most important asset – it can be hard to establish but very easy to lose, so always be straightforward and honest in all your professional and business relationships.
3. Use clear communication
Clarify your thoughts by writing them down and think before you speak. In the business world, fewer concisely expressed words (written or spoken) are more powerful than long flowery statements.
4. Listen
The person who will be most successful is the person who listens effectively and can give input that offers a unique solution or perspective.
5. Always be prepared
Before any meeting or interaction do your research, and arrive with good questions or potential solutions to problems.
6. Take initiative and follow up
These are the bookends of success. Anticipate the needs of others.
Use the three “Ws” – what, who and when – to clarify the actions each party must take after meetings or conversations in the corridor.
7. Maintain a high “say/do” ratio
Be cautious about what tasks or actions you commit yourself to. Before committing to any deadline, always look at your schedule of when the work can feasibly be done to ensure that you can keep to the deadline.
8. Work hard
There is no substitute for hard work – show up early or leave late if required, and make sure you are productive in between.
9. Accept responsibility
If you make a mistake, admit it, apologise, and take immediate action, both to fix the issue and to prevent it from happening again.
10. Be a team player
Find ways to help others. The ultimate job of a leader is to enable others to succeed. Others will see the leadership potential in you if you can do this well. Leadership is a role that you assume, not a job title.