Posts filed under 'Work Etiquette'
June 4th, 2008
On another note, sometimes it is easy to shoot off an e-mail with a harsh comment or response to an issue. STOP, THINK, and READ before doing that.
At first glance, it’s hard to read the inflection and the tone of your message at times. Be cautious when quickly sending and responding to emails. Reading the e-mail out loud or having another person look it over are also suggestions on how to keep your cool when e-mailing.
If someone has a tip or trick that helps you in a tense situation, please post it. If you have a funny story related to keeping your cool, please share!
June 2nd, 2008
Keeping cool in a tense situation is often hard to do. What really works to keep your cool? I often find that if I taking a deep breath helps. Try this: STOP, THINK and BREATHE before saying or doing something rash. I call it STB!
You all might laugh, but that is a tip I have used since my son was 4 (he now is 12). It came from Blues Clues! Yes, that funny blue happy dog with Steve, the striped shirt guy that had a note pad and red crayon! I still use it today! I say it to my son, my four year old daughter, and even my husband!
STOP, THINK, and BREATHE. It may get irritating, but I hear the little voice that tells me when I need to keep cool.
May 27th, 2008
The definition of communication is simply the exchange and flow of information and ideas from one person to another.
The problem with communication is that the message can easily be misinterpreted. Miscommunication or lack of communication is one of the largest problems that an organization deals with day to day. By avoiding the following barriers, you can improve the communication in your workplace.
1) Office Noise – Equipment or environmental noises can often distort the message being sent, and can affect the concentration of the receiver.
2) Incorrect Perception – Perception can be affected by the speed with which the message is delivered or the clarity of articulation. Too much or too little of either can greatly affect one’s grasp of the message.
3) Workplace Stress – Messages are delivered and received differently when under stress. This differentiation can cause problems relating to the interpretation of the message.
4) Message Smothering – Smothering occurs when the deliverer assumes the receiver is already aware of the message being given. It is, however, better to communicate this information regardless, to ensure the receiver is aware.
5) Culture – Past experiences or cultural background are examples of instances that can greatly affect the meaning of a message. Being unaware of cultural differences may interfere with the message being communicated.
6) Ourselves – Sometimes too much focus is put on our own individual. This narrow focus can cause conflict and confusion between two communicating parties.
Communication will never be perfect. However, an attitude of understanding and improvement is key to creating a clear communication environment. Make sure to keep your eyes and ears open to prevent communication barriers!
May 22nd, 2008
Truth be told, there are many people who are in positions of management that have very poor people skills. Not a good skill to lack when considering in addition to overseeing daily operations, leading and directing people is a pretty big part of the job description.
If you, as an employee, encounter a boss that struggles getting their point across and goes about providing instructions or discipline in an unprofessional manner, here are a few tips to keep in mind that will help you keep your cool:
1) Never get Confrontational: No matter what you think about your boss and what they have to say, it is not in your best interest to get confrontational. This is sure to only make matters worse. You can make your point in a way that it comes across non-threatening, but it is unlikely if your boss handled the situation poorly to begin with that they will all of a sudden be open to reasoning and conversation.
2) Too Much Information: When sharing your thoughts with your boss, there is such a thing as too much information. Understand that your boss is, like it or not, in a position where they have to make tough decisions, including decisions about staff. You will have a lot of thoughts going through your mind, and you will want to say many of them. I would advise to refrain from doing so. Do not give them a reason to cut you loose. A general rule of thumb is that no matter how difficult a work situation is, it is always better to leave on your own terms than to be terminated by the company.
3) Sounding Board: Identify a co-worker or a friend away from work that you trust and that you can go and vent to. Often times you will find that co-workers share the same view point as you. It can be healthy to vent to each other and get things off of your chest. Be careful about abusing this, especially with friends away from work.
4) Management Team: Take a look at the rest of the management team at your company, and determine if there is an individual that you would feel comfortable going and talking to about how your boss handled the situation. HR departments are often a good option for this discussion.
5) Update Resume: If the situation is to the point where you don’t feel you can see yourself working for the company or your boss, and you don’t feel change is in the near future, it may be time for you to prepare to make a change. Begin updating your resume and keeping an eye open for better opportunities. It is always best to be proactive rather than reactive in a situation like this.
April 21st, 2008
When receiving constructive criticism, one must remember that the criticism is being given to help improve the situation, and it is meant to be a positive learning experience. Sometimes criticism does not feel so positive, so here are a few ways to avoid taking criticism so personally.
First, listen to the criticism. Don’t get defensive- realize that everyone makes mistakes and there is always room for improvement. If you keep an open mind, you will be able take the criticism and learn from it.
Next- consider is where the criticism is coming from. The source needs to have the authority, knowledge, and experience to be giving you feedback. If they give you general information, ask them to be specific and give examples. This way, you are able to understand the criticism and make improvements.
Lastly, accept the criticism with a positive attitude. Tell the person you appreciate what they had to say, and show that you are looking forward to furthering your development with the company. Don’t let the negative feedback bring you down, let it go, just remember to use the information to become better.
April 16th, 2008
Do you work in a multi-generational environment? Do you have any tips on how to make the different generations work well together?
Share your stories, both good and bad, about how you communicate with your co-workers!!
April 14th, 2008
Nowadays, the workplace is not only culturally diverse, but there is diversity according to age as well! It is amazing to think that America’s workforce is made up of a wide spectrum of many different age groups- sometimes with three generations of workers!
Being able to communicate with and motivate each generation becomes the next hurdle for companies to jump over. Sometimes having a multi-generation work environment can lead to issues with miscommunication, but it can also be a window of opportunity for positive growth.
Each generation grew up with a certain set of moral and ethical values, which are brought out during the daily grind. As long as management keeps everyone working on the same page, companies will be able create a productive work environment, and ensure that each generational group is challenged with their daily tasks.
At the end of each day, we need to keep in mind, regardless of age, we are all on the same team, and we all need to work towards the goal of optimizing the success of each individual company!
April 11th, 2008
Dating in the workplace can be a controversial topic. Should you, shouldn’t you? Some things to take into consideration are:
1) How closely do I work with this person? If things don’t work out between us, will I have to continue to work side by side this person? This can create an uncomfortable situation for both individuals. If a break-up could lead to such an uncomfortable environment where one would consider changing jobs, it probably isn’t worth the risk.
2) Is one of the individuals in a direct management role? If so, other co-workers may view this as showing favoritism. If the relationship didn’t work out in this situation, it would certainly create an uncomfortable work environment for both parties. Both instances could create an unhealthy work environment for not only the two involved in a relationship, but for everybody involved.
3) Is the relationship distracting both individuals from doing their job? Are there too many emails going back and forth? Is there too much discussion about life away from work while at work? Both need to be able to stay focused on the job they are being paid to do and leave their personal lives at the door.
I believe that dating in the workplace can be a risk. It is an individual’s choice to weigh all the pros and cons and make a decision about how to move forward from that point. While there are certainly situations where it may not be in your best interest to date a co-worker, if the situation is right, feel free to give it a shot.
Share with us your feelings about dating at the workplace!
April 7th, 2008
Profanity, foul language, cursing, cussing, swearing. Whatever you call it- does it belong in the workplace?
Most, if not all would say NO WAY. Have we all made the slip during a moment of frustration during the workday? Most would say YES.
We all hope no one heard us say it, but often times it is acknowledged by a co-worker, customer, or supervisor. People have a varied tolerance for this type of behavior, but plain and simple, it can be perceived as unprofessional, vulgar, inappropriate, immoral, unacceptable, and even illegal.
Is swearing is illegal? Not in general, but the perception of whatever is said can lead to greater damage if it is not kept under control. It can lead to discrimination, perpetuate negative workplace environments, and make some people so uncomfortable that they dread being with or around the offender. How does one handle themselves with a repeat offender? When the joke of the “swear jar” has collected enough money to buy a new car, what does one do to suppress the habits of a “curser” in the workplace? Even better, when the curser is a supervisor or manager, one that should be in place to inspire, or a key customer that pays the bills- how does one stand up and let their right for clean-mouthed colleagues be heard?
Share your stories, tricks, and gimmicks to thwart this behavior. Remember, keep it clean!
March 31st, 2008
Using good manners when talking on the telephone is very important in order to make a good impression and help set your company apart from others. Make sure to use these tips with your phone conversations.
Keep it simple! Make sure to address the call with purpose, and speak clearly. Be pleasant. Overall, you want to be professional, yet friendly.
When answering the phones, it is a good idea to SMILE! It may seem silly, but when you smile as you answer the phone, it truly makes a difference.
Taking messages is also very important. Make sure to take down the date and time of the call, and the name of the person calling. It also helps to know what the message is regarding, so whoever receives the call will know exactly how to respond.
Finally, when recording a voicemail box greeting, be professional. If you are using voicemail box greetings that are inappropriate, you could possibly turn away a future employer or client!
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