5 Ways to Create Your Own Opportunities at Work

At first, asking for help might sound like the opposite of creating your own opportunities. 

Opportunities are tied to personal relationships. Consider the Ben Franklin effect: By asking someone for a small favor, you endear them to yourself. The reason is that, when you help someone, your brain rationalizes your actions by assuming that you must like that person.

At every company, how management thinks things get done and how they actually get done are two different things. 

But while managers often have good reasons for pushing certain processes or products, sometimes they simply haven’t thought of the more efficient method.

As much as mentorship benefits the mentee, it can also be a professional boost for the mentor. 

Mentoring others develops leadership and communication skills: Spotting strengths and weaknesses, explaining things diplomatically, and giving supportive advice are key to mentorship as well as management roles.