When You Have to Pick Up Where Others Leave Off

Meetings and Conventions Magazine (MCMag.com) gives the following tips for picking up where others leave off after layoffs and reorganizations:

• Clarify expectations when you inherit responsibilities from a former colleague. Have your boss provide you with a detailed job description for the work you pick up.
• Share accountability by bringing your boss into the loop. Do this frequently. Ask for constructive feedback while making them aware of issues that arise. Frequent communications also helps to keep you both jointly responsible for those issues.
• Stick to your previous routines, especially at work. When you are stressed by working longer hours due to the additional workload you "inherit", you compromise your mental and physical health. When you don't take care of yourself, you cannot take care of your work responsibilities.
• Think like your manager. Show you have initiative and are difficult to replace by suggesting ways to more-efficiently do business…then do it. Put what you suggest in writing. You may need your notes for future performance reviews.

"Do more with less" is a mantra used frequently in the workplace. Follow these tips and you just may be able to do so.