POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINESSta. Mesa, Manila

FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN RELATIONS

DEM 735 – ETHICAL LEADERSHIP AND HUMAN RELATIONS

MARIA LEONORA E. VINOYA Discussant

FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN RELATIONS

DEFINE HUMAN RELATIONS

In its broadest sense, covers all the types of interactions among people – their conflicts, cooperative efforts and group relationships.

It is the study of why our beliefs, attitudes and behaviors sometimes cause relationship problems in our personal lives and in work-related situations.

What are Interpersonal Skills?Interpersonal skills are the life skills that we use every

day to communicate and interact with other people, both individually and in groups. People with strong interpersonal skills are usually more successful in both their professional and personal lives.

A list of Interpersonal SkillsVerbal Communication - What we say and how we

say it.

Non-Verbal Communication - What we communicate without words, body language is an example.

Listening Skills - How we interpret both the verbal and non-verbal messages sent by others.

Negotiation - Working with others to find a mutually agreeable outcome.

Problem Solving - Working with others to identify, define and solve problems.

Decision Making – Exploring and analyzing options to make sound decisions.

Assertiveness – Communicating our values, ideas, beliefs, opinions, needs and wants freely.

How to improve and develop your interpersonal skills?Learn to Listen

Listening is not the same as hearing. Take time to listen carefully to what others are saying through both their verbal and non-verbal communication.

Choose Your Words

Be aware of the words you are using when talking to others. Could you be misunderstood or confuse the issue? Practice clarity and learn to seek feedback to ensure your message has been understood. Encourage others to engage in communication and use appropriate questioning to develop your understanding.

Relax

When we are nervous we tend to talk more quickly and therefore less clearly. Being tense is also evident in our body language and other non-verbal communication. Instead, try to stay calm, make eye contact and smile. Let your confidence shine.

Clarify

Show an interest in the people you talk to. Ask questions and seek clarification on any points that could be easily misunderstood.

Be Positive

Try to remain positive and cheerful. People are much more likely to be drawn to you if you can maintain a positive attitude.

Empathize

Understand that other people may have different points of view. Try to see things from their perspective. You may learn something whilst gaining the respect and trust of others.

Understand Stress

Learn to recognize, manage and reduce stress in yourself and others . Although stress is not always bad, it can have a detrimental effect on your interpersonal communication.

Reflect and Improve

Think about previous conversations and other interpersonal interactions; learn from your mistakes and successes. Always keep a positive attitude but realize that you can always improve our communication skills.

Negotiate

Learn how to effectively negotiate with others paving the way to mutual respect, trust and lasting interpersonal relations.

Working in Groups

We often find ourselves in group situations, professionally and socially.

Ten ways to improve interpersonal skills

Smile Few people want to be around someone who is always

down in the dumps. Do your best to be friendly and upbeat with your fellow group members. Maintain a positive, cheerful attitude about school and life. Smile often. The positive energy you radiate will draw others to you.

Be appreciative Find one positive thing about everyone you work

with and let them hear it. Be generous with praise and kind words of encouragement. Say thank you when someone helps you. Make group members feel welcome when they call or ask questions. If you let others know that they are appreciated, they’ll want to give you their best.

Bring people together Create an environment that encourages others to

work together. Treat everyone equally, and don't play favorites. Avoid talking about others behind their backs. Follow up on other people's suggestions or requests. When you make a statement or announcement, check to see that you have been understood. If folks see you as someone solid and fair, they will grow to trust you.

Resolve conflicts Take a step beyond simply bringing people together,

and become someone who resolves conflicts when they arise. Learn how to be an effective mediator. If group members bicker over personal disagreements, arrange to sit down with both parties and help sort out their differences. By taking on such a leadership role, you will garner respect and admiration from those around you.

Communicate clearly Pay close attention to both what you say and how you

say it. A clear and effective communicator avoids misunderstandings with coworkers, colleagues, and peers. Verbal eloquence projects an image of intelligence and maturity, no matter what your age. If you tend to blurt out anything that comes to mind, people won’t put much weight on your words or opinions.

Humor them

Don’t be afraid to be funny or clever. Most people are drawn to a person that can make them laugh. Use your sense of humor as an effective tool to lower barriers and gain people’s affection.

See it from their side Empathy means being able to put yourself in

someone else’s shoes and understand how they feel. Try to view situations and responses from another person’s perspective. This can be accomplished through staying in touch with your own emotions; those who are cut off from their own feelings are often unable to empathize with others.

Don’t complain There is nothing worse than a chronic complainer or

whiner. If you simply have to vent about something, save it for your journal. If you must verbalize your grievances, vent to your personal friends and family, and keep it short. Spare those around you, or else you’ll get a bad reputation.

Importance of Interpersonal Skills

At work, interpersonal skills can get us jobs, gain promotions and enhance our personal effectiveness.

In our personal lives interpersonal skills can help in marriage and with our social friendships.

Improving these skills build confidence, enhances our relationships with others and thereby improves our personal effectiveness.

People with good interpersonal skills have learn to identify which are the best ways of interacting with others in different situations.

Our ability to interact with people helps us identify value in potential relationships and develop those that will yield value in our lives.

Interpersonal skills create effective interpersonal communication and allow us to build successful relationships with our coworkers, managers, employees, and customers.

Family relationships may be our strongest relationships, but effective interpersonal skills create maximum value within them.

A little time and effort spent working and practicing your interpersonal skills will pay huge rewards in your professional and personal lives.

The Challenge of Human Relations

One-to-oneGroup

Members

Self

ALL WORK IS DONE

THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS

Types of Relationships

1. Manage relationship with self

People who have negative feelings about their abilities and accomplishments and who engage in constant self-criticism must struggle to maintain a good relationship with themselves.

2. Manage one-to-one relationship

Racial, age or gender bias serves as a barrier to good human relations. Communication style bias is another common barrier to effective one-to-one relationships.

3. Manage relationships with members of a group.

Many workers are assigned to a team on either a full-time or a part-time basis. Lack of cooperation among team members can result in quality problems or a slow-down in production.

Human Relations and the “Total Person”

Human relations - the study of how people satisfy both personal and work-related needs.

Total Person – the combination of characteristics that make up the whole person.

The Need for Supportive Environment

Managers do believe that total person development, job enrichment, motivation techniques, or career development strategies help increase productivity or strengthen worker commitment to the job.

When such practices are tried without full commitment or without full management support, there is a good chance they will fail.

Human relations, when applied in a positive and supportive environment, can help individuals achieve greater personal satisfaction from their careers and help increase an organization’s productivity and efficiency.

The Forces Influencing Behavior At Work

WorkerBehavior

Family Influence

•Work-family initiatives•Family-

friendly culture

Job Influence•Meaningfulness•Responsibility•Knowledge of

result

Organizational Culture•Mission•Vision•Beliefs•Values

Work Group Influence

Social SupportEmotional

SupportSupport for

meeting goals

Supervisory-Management

Influence• Philosophy•Competence

•Leadership style

Personal Characteristics of the worker•Abilities•Interests•Aptitudes•Values

•Expectations

Major Forces Influencing Worker BehaviorOrganizational Culture

Supervisory – Management Influence

Work Group Influence

Job Influence

Personal Characteristics of the worker

Family Influence

1. Organizational Culture

Is the collection of shared values, beliefs, rituals, stories, and myths that foster a feeling of community among organizational members.

Mission Statement vs Vision StatementAboutA Mission

statement talks about HOW you will get to where you want to be. Defines the purpose and primary objectives related to your customer needs and team values:

Answer:It answers the question,

“What do we do? What makes us different”

A Vision statement outlines WHERE you want to be. Communicates both the purpose and values of your business

It answers the question, “Where do we aim to be?”

Time:A mission statement talks about the present leading to its future.

Function:It lists the broad goals for 

which the organization is formed. Its prime function is internal, to define the key measure or measures of the organization's success and its prime audience is the leadership team and stockholders.

A vision statement talks about your future.

It lists where you see yourself some years from now. It inspires you to give your best. It shapes your understanding of why are you working here

ChangeYour mission statement may change, but it should still tie back to your core values, customer needs and vision.

Developing a statementWhat do we do today? For whom do we do it? What is the benefit?

Your vision should remain intact, even if the market changes dramatically, because it speaks to what you represent, not just what you do.

What do we want to do going forward? When do we want to do it? How do we want to do it?

Features:Purpose and values of the organization. Who are the organization's primary "clients" (stakeholders) What are the responsibilities of the organization towards the clients?

Clarity and lack of ambiguity Paint a vivid and clear picture, not ambiguous Describing a bright future (hope) Memorable and engaging expression Realistic aspirations, achievable Alignment with organizational values and culture

Vision:Francisco  G.  Nepomuceno Memorial  High  School  is  a school  of  CHOICE  that promotes  national  culture  of excellence and develops Filipino students  who  are  God-loving, morally  upright  and  equipped with  knowledge  and  skills. Where  there  is ………………………….  Child  friendly atmosphere,  Holistic development  of  students, Optimum  use  of  resources, Innovative  instructional  styles, Committed  educators  and Empowerment  of  spiritual  and moral values.

Mission:To  provide  a  learning environment that is Child-friendly  that  will  produce young  citizens  who  are values-oriented,  active doers,  effective  communi cators,  critical  thinkers and nature stewards.

2. Supervisory-Management Influence

The supervisors and managers are the spokepersons for the organization. Their philosophy , competence and leadership style  establish the organization’s image in the eyes of employees.

Philosophy

a theory or attitude held by a person or organization that acts as a guiding principle for behavior:

Principle

a rule or code of conduct (2) : habitual devotion to right principles <a man of principle>

an ingredient that exhibits or imparts a characteristic quality

3. Work Group Influence

  Social Needs >  When  employees  feel  more connected  to  their  colleagues  at  work,  they  are generally  more  productive.  Many  people  find  the hours  spent  at  work  enjoyable  because  coworkers provide needed social support.

Emotional Support > The work group can provide coworkers the support needed to deal with pressures and problems on or off the job.

Assistance in solving problems and meeting goals >A cohesive work group lends support and provides the resources we need to be productive workers.

4. Job InfluenceWhen we find meaning and fulfillment in our jobs, we become more complete as human beings.

Work  has taken center stage in the lives of most people.

Unfortunately, many people hold jobs that do not make them feel good.

Some workers experience frustration because they are powerless to influence their working conditions.

5. Personal Characteristics of the worker

Every  worker  brings  to  the  job  a  combination  of abilities, interests, aptitudes, values and expectations.

Worker  behavior  on  the  job  is  most  frequently  a reflection  on  how  well  the  work  environment accomodates    the  unique  characteristics  of  each worker.

Today’s better-educated and better-informed workers value identity and achievement.

They also have a heightened sense of their rights.

Attitude vs BehaviorAttitude is a person's inner thoughts and feelings, while behavior is usually an outward expression of attitude.

Basically, attitude is the way in which we think. Behavior is the way we act. 

Attitude is internal, although it often shows on the outside - as behaviour. Behaviour is external - and can be observed.

Distinction:1. ‘Behavior’ is an inherent trait of an organism while ‘attitude’ is a human trait.2. Our behavior is controlled by our endocrine system while our attitude can be influenced by factors that can be internal or external.3. Our behaviors are set by our social norms while our attitudes are set by how we perceive things.4. Organisms may have similar behavioral patterns while humans have attitudes that are distinct and different from each other.

6. Family Influence

Marital  distress  often  has  a  negative  impact  on organizational productivity.

Many organizations have found that family problems are  often  linked  to  employee  problems  such  as tardiness, absenteeism, and turnover.