WORKING WITH OTHERSCh. 14

Topic 1

Personal Qualities at Work

Your Personality at WorkPersonality – combination of traits that distinguishes one person from another Character – your reputation, basic values and principles that are

reflected in the way you live your life. Ethics – a system of moral standards or values Integrity – honesty, sincerity and trustworthiness – people

with integrity are valuable at work because they can be trusted to use the company resources for company purposes

Reliable – being dependable and doing what you have agreed to do including not ignoring your duties or dismissing them as unimportant

SELF-ACCEPTANCEDefinition – attitude toward yourselfBe honest with yourself

Do not deceive yourself about your behavior and beliefs

Admit your weaknesses and acknowledge your strengths

Understand you are uniqueYou have same wants, needs and fears of

othersOthers may not appear to have same

problems but they usually have their own

MATURITYHaving the emotional and mental qualities that are considered normal to a socially adjusted adult.

You are mature when you are willing to: Accept criticism or disappointment tactfully Acknowledge that you do not know or understand

something Admit that you made a mistake Learn from your mistakes Face your weaknesses and determine how to overcome

them Be considerate of others Demonstrate respect for differences of individuals Be objective and honest in your relationships with others Value the worth of every person and do not act superior

to another person

ATTITUDES THAT SUPPORT QUALITY PERFORMANCE

THE WORK ETHIC Deep belief in the value of work in one’s life Willingness to meet the demands of work Strong work ethics give value to both tangible and intangible rewards at work

Tangible rewards – pay and benefits Intangible rewards – enjoyment of work performed or pride in a job well done Positive attitude toward work, willingness to work overtime and low error rates

PARTICIPATION AND COOPERATION Willingness to participate in what needs to be done to achieve a goal Workers often need to perform tasks not included in their job description

LEARNING Companies expect worker to be independent learners Be aware of new technology and methods that relate to your field Ask about opportunities for training that will improve your job performance

IMPRESSIONS INFLUENCE OTHERSAPPEARANCE AFFECTS HOW OTHERS THINK OF YOU Dress

Appropriately dressed make others think you are giving proper attention to your job duties

Sloppily dressed gives impression you are not an efficient employee Some companies are specific Others expect new employees to note how the majority of other workers

dress Your appearance should reflect good taste and suggest you are a

responsible employee Annoying habits

Can have a negative effect on your interactions with coworkers Drumming fingers on desk, twirling hair, chewing gum, and certain facial

expressions can be annoying to others The PITCH (high or low sound) of your voice can indicate your emotion,

lower-pitched voice is more pleasant, work on keeping the voice pitch at a lower level.

Consider your behavior and identify what you believe might be annoying to others

Ask a trusted friend or coworker to help you identify any habits you have that others might find annoying.

BASIC WORK MANNERSWhat you know about manners will be valuable interacting with others at work

Extending you hand to another person when being introduced is considered a gracious gesture

Electronic Etiquette require the use of good manners just as face-to-face meetings

Voice Mail Speak slowly Keep message brief Include complete name and number Explain why a return call is essential

Cellular phones Do not use phone in places where conversation will disrupt activities If at a conference, move away from where others are talking Do not discuss confidential business in public area

BASIC WORK MANNERS, cont’dSpeakerphones

Be sure the matter discussed is not confidential Establish whether person on phone does not mind using speakerphone Give full attention to the caller, do not multi-task even though hands are

free

Fax machines Do not read other co-worker’s incoming messages Read only to identify recipient

Conference calls When speaking always identify yourself Do not interrupt someone who is speaking

GENERAL WORK COURTESIES

Beware of responsibilities of coworkers – doing so does not cause them to waste timeLimit conversations to matters of work during work time – wait for breaks or lunch for personal talkEmployees often face deadlines – when seeking assistance, inquire if it is appropriate to interruptDo not monopolize shared equipment so as to keep others from completing tasksBe alert to needs of coworkers