1. Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Chapter 13
4/30/2019

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Respecting privacy Faxes, e-mail, & voice mail Computers
Many companies have access to employees’ accounts. How should this affect your 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 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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