Interpersonal Relationships @ Work Chapter 13 Coop II

13.1: Personal Traits @ Work JOURNAL ENTRY: What do you think is the most important workplace skill?

13.1: Personal Traits @ Work Positive Workplace Relationships Considered the most important skill Having good relationships with coworkers makes work a better place Helps you be more successful So how you do you develop good relationships? Look at Yourself….

13.1: Personal Traits @ Work Key Personal Traits Responsibility Dependability, Positive Motivation Self-esteem Confidence Sociability Friendliness, enthusiasm, adaptability, respect Self-management Self-control, tactfulness, non-offensive Integrity/Honesty Loyalty, trustworthy

13.1: Personal Traits @ Work Self Awareness on the Job Understanding your own unique blend of qualities can help you adjust to new work situations.

13.1: Personal Traits @ Work Improving Your Personal Traits Can you improve yourself? On a sheet of paper make a list of the personal qualities or traits you want to improve. You will journal on these traits for the next few days. TODAY: List 5 traits you want to improve to make yourself a stronger / more desirable worker

13.1: Personal Traits @ Work Improving Your Personal Traits The simple answer: Yes you can improve. Step 1: Zero in on one trait at a time Step 2: Draw up a plan and stick to it! Step 3: Keep track of your progress Step 4: Move on to other traits to improve

13.1: Personal Traits @ Work Develop Positive Traits Get Along with Coworkers More Effective & Efficient At Job

13.1: Personal Traits @ Work Becoming An Effective Coworker EFFECTIVE – Getting a job done well EFFICIENT – Getting a job done quickly Effectiveness comes when workers cooperate with each other. 4 Key behaviors for effective coworkers: Respect Communication Understanding Good Humor

13.1: Personal Traits @ Work Becoming An Effective Coworker RESPECT Mutual respect Prevented by “Better Than You” attitudes and jealousy Every worker (no matter their job) contributes something important Any job done well by a worker should be given dignity Rivalry should be eliminated RESPECT is a TWO WAY street give = get

13.1: Personal Traits @ Work Becoming An Effective Coworker UNDERSTANDING Be an interested observer Ask coworkers about their goals Empathize with them (see things from their point of view) Pay attention to coworkers’ body language – get to know their expressions and actions

13.1: Personal Traits @ Work Becoming An Effective Coworker COMMUNICATION How you listen is as important as what you say Failure to convey info promptly and clearly can disrupt teamwork and make EVERYONE look bad Speak up and ask for help if you need it Give guidance to others if it appears they need it This does not include talking about private life NO GOSSIP ALSO a TWO WAY street!

13.1: Personal Traits @ Work Becoming An Effective Coworker GOOD HUMOR Humor can carry you and other through stress Can unite a team and make people feel better about themselves Don’t be a comedian – just add “glass half full” to a situation or “Lighten up” a situation

13.2: Applying Interpersonal Skills Workplace Etiquette Etiquette – having good manners Typically thought of as something used at weddings or by rich people – but really applies to every day situations Think of all the etiquette you use on a daily basis at school. What are they?

13.2: Applying Interpersonal Skills Workplace Etiquette Etiquette Areas Courtesy Greet coworkers when they walk by your Address by name whenever you can (not “hey!”) Don’t interrupt Professional Dress Dress clean and neat no matter the dress code Don’t let your clothes speak for you – let your performance make the impression! Punctuality Arrive on time Meet Deadlines Speech Do not gossip

13.2: Applying Interpersonal Skills Privacy Etiquette = Privacy Email / Faxes / Voicemail Treat electronic communication as you would treat mail. Don’t read/listen to it unless it is yours Computers If sharing a computer do not alter or use files of other workers unless you have created them or have permission Office Space Respect coworkers privacy in shared spaces (locker, file cabinet or desk)

13.2: Applying Interpersonal Skills Working with Your Supervisor Treat your supervisor with same respect and courtesy as your coworkers. Ways to help: Deal with Criticism from your supervisor in an objective and professional manner. Do not get defensive Practice initiative instead of bothering your supervisor with details that do not need their approval Offer to help your supervisor Discuss complaints with supervisor and suggest your own solutions

13.2: Applying Interpersonal Skills CONFLICT RESOLUTION Even with mutual respect, tension and conflict will still occur at times Conflict Resolution – problem-solving strategy for settling disputes

13.2: Applying Interpersonal Skills Step 1: Define the Problem Step 2: Suggest a Solution Step 3: Evaluate a Solution Step 4: Compromise Step 5: Seek Mediation Step 4: Think Creatively Step 5: Seek Arbitration

13.2: Applying Interpersonal Skills Diversity in the Workplace Diversity – variety, where each group contributes something special What is one thing that makes you completely unique from other people in the room?

13.2: Applying Interpersonal Skills Diversity in the Workplace Embracing diversity will help discourage conflict at work Show respect for cultural, physical, religious, age and gender differences and the viewpoints each brings Acknowledge diversity makes your workplace a community not just a workplace!

13.2: Applying Interpersonal Skills Diversity in the Workplace Stereotypes Stereotypes – oversimplified and distorted belief about a person or group. Stereotypes ignore the individual Stereotypes encourage “us verses them” ideas

13.2: Applying Interpersonal Skills Diversity in the Workplace Ways to Overcome Stereotypes Cultural distinctions Different ethnicities have different customs Gender distinctions Sexism does not exist Generational distinctions Find the commonalities between generations Learn from the viewpoints of older or younger workers. If you are a young worker now you will someday be in the same shoes as your older coworkers!