Interpersonal Relationships at Work Chapter 13 4/30/2019

Objectives: After completing this chapter, you should be able to: Work effectively with a variety of coworkers by recognizing & developing positive & respectful personal traits Describe proper workplace etiquette Understand & practice effective methods of conflict resolution. Appreciate & increase sensitivity to diversity in the workplace. 4/30/2019

Important Personal Traits Responsibility Including dependability & positive motivation Self-esteem - Including confidence Sociability Including friendliness, enthusiasm, adaptability, & respect for other workers Self-management – Including self-control Tact – ability to say and do things in a way that will not offend other people Integrity/Honesty Including loyalty & trustworthiness The personal traits that help you get along with others at your job are the same ones that help you at school or in social situations. Last…if you’re like most people, you probably have strengths & weaknesses on these traits. Now is the ideal time to work on developing any personal traits that need attention. 4/30/2019

Becoming an effective co-worker Respecting others Without mutual respect, there can be little cooperation in the workplace Understanding others Notice personal traits of co-workers Ask them about short & long-term career goals Try to empathize with co-workers Pay attention to their body language 2. You don’t have to have a deep understanding of your co-workers in order to work well together. You can develop understanding by being an interested observer 2c. Try to see things from their point of view 2d. See how their physical actions express emotions. Be alert to facial expressions, which often give clues to a person’s inner feelings. 4/30/2019

Etiquette Having good manners in your dealings with people Workplace etiquette Be courteous Dress appropriately Be punctual Avoid workplace gossip 2a. Greet your co-workers when you come to work, address people by name whenever you can. Don’t interrupt private conversations, & don’t talk so loudly that you disturb other people. Avoid tying up equipment that other people may need to use. 2b. Wear neat, clean clothes. Don’t use your wardrobe or hairstyle to attract attention. Let you on-the-job performance speak for itself 2c. Be on time, arrive at meetings promptly, meet deadlines 2d. Gossiping wastes valuable work time & can result in the spread of false or hurtful rumors. 4/30/2019

Respecting privacy Faxes, e-mail, & voice mail Computers Many companies have access to employees’ e-mail accounts. How should this affect your e-mail correspondence at work? Computers Shared office space Treat these means of electronic communication as primate mail. Don’t read or listen to them unless they are addressed to you…it is never a good idea to write an e-mail message that you would not feel comfortable sharing with a supervisor. Sharing a computer with a co-worker does not give you the right to examine or alter files that you have not created Respect your coworkers’ private spaces. Never look in a locker, file cabinet, or desk that is not your own 4/30/2019

Working with your supervisor Deal with criticism in an objective & professional manner Why is it important to be able to listen to constructive criticism? Practice initiative Offer to help Discuss work-related complaints with supervisor First…here are some things you can do to develop and maintain a good working relationship with your supervisor. Do not become defensive…It is important so that you can improve your work. More experienced coworkers or a supervisor can give you helpful suggestions for improvement, and you need to be open to trying them out. Instead of bothering your supervisor with details that do not need his/her approval…practice initiative and handle it on your own 4. Be prepared however to suggest your own solution. 4/30/2019

Conflict resolution Problem-solving strategy for settling disputes and finding solutions that will allow each side to save face & leave the least amount off ill-feeling 2. Draw on board. 4/30/2019

Conflict Resolution Steps (Figure 13.2 page 268) Define the problem Suggest a solution Evaluate a solution Compromise (think creatively) Seek mediation (or arbitration) 4/30/2019

Diversity Each group contributes something special Overcoming stereotypes Oversimplified & distorted belief about a person or group Some businesses sponsor diversity training covering the distinctions in the following areas: Cultural Gender Generational 2. To succeed in a diverse workplace, workers need to look beyond stereotypes of groups of people. The danger of thinking in stereotypes is that it does not allow for individuality. In addition, it encourages an “use vs. them” mentality. 4/30/2019