Chapter 13 Coop II. JOURNAL ENTRY: What do you think is the most important workplace skill?

Chapter 13Coop II

JOURNAL ENTRY: What do you think is the most important workplace skill?

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….

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

Self Awareness on the Job

◦Understanding your own unique blend of qualities can help you adjust to new work situations.

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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?

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

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)

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

CONFLICT RESOLUTION

◦Even with mutual respect, tension and conflict will still occur at times

◦Conflict Resolution – problem-solving strategy for settling disputes

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?

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!

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

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!