1. Interpersonal Relationships @ Work
Chapter 13
Coop II

2. 13.1: Personal Traits @ Work
JOURNAL ENTRY: What do you think is the most important workplace skill?

3. 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….

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 13.1: Personal Traits @ Work
Develop Positive Traits
Get Along with Coworkers
More Effective & Efficient At Job

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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. 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

14. 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?

15. 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

16. 13.2: Applying Interpersonal Skills
Privacy
Etiquette = Privacy
/ Faxes / Voic
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)

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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?

21. 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!

22. 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

23. 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!