Developing a Professional Work Ethic Basics of a strong work ethic and job commitment
Do the right thing
Exceed expectations
Assist others as part of your job Remember that others are depending on you Find your inner motivation
[Ingvar Kamprad, Swedish home furnishing retailer IKEAentrepreneur high on work ethics and commitment, used fathers reward for succeeding in studies when he was seventeen]
Being Dependable and Reliable
Keep track of your commitments Manage expectations Practice consistent attendance Arrive early workplace expert Stephen Viscusi , author of Bulletproof of Your Job, offers advice about keeping a job and building a successful careerbulletproofing your job is all about building the right relationship with your boss !
Managing your Time
Identify time-wasting activities Plan your day Set priorities Block distractions Vary the type of tasks you perform Be flexible
Managing Stress
Remove yourself for sometime fro m stressful activities Use stress to your advantage Eat a snack Get enough sleep ( avoid sleep debt ala debt trap!) Engage in some physical activity Use your support network
aintaining A Professional Workspace
ments
space comfortable and inviting
r space to support your workflow
riate lighting
onomic principles
appropriate image
Taking Advantage of Professional Opportunities Keep your career goals in mind Look for high-visibility opportunities
Meet key people
Attend training sessions Accept unappealing tasks graciously
Earning Recognition
Communicate about all your accomplishments
Give your boss talking points
Call attention to yourself by praising others
Seek unique tasks
Take advantage of promotional opportunities
Network across the organisation
Developing Interpersonal Skills Understanding professional Relationships
Cultivate strong professional relationships because they : provide a fulfilling work experience
Allow you to succeed Provide the resources you need Influence decisions Help you find and keep a job
Respecting Social Protocols
Respect how your organisation works
Follow the chain of command
Recognise communication channels and power centres
Acknowledge groups and cliques
Consider time and schedules
Networking Professionally
Network before it is necessary
Look for networking opportunities Distribute and collect business cards Prepare to converse Follow up with people you meet Stay in touch
Showing Basic Office Courtesies
Exchange pleasantries Treat everyone with respect Offer assistance Honour others privacy Respect shared areas and resources Contribute when asked
Marshall Goldsmith, "What Got You Here Wont Get You There: How Successful People Become Even more Successful identifies six basic forms of bad manners : speaking when angry, focussing on the negative, making excuses, claiming undeserved credit, not listening well and failing to express gratitude
Socializing professionally
Keep your guard up
Limit the alcohol
Avoid uninvited guests
Rule out flirting
Approach people you do not know
Displaying Optimism and Enthusiasm
Smile frequently Show appreciation Listen actively and reflectively Support team efforts Show a sense of humour
Recovering from difficult Interpersonal Situations
Apologise in person Time apologies carefully Assume responsibility Correct mistakes Be patient- it is a great virtue and wins battles !
Towards Ethical and Authentic Communications: The discipline of Building Character
Ethical Decisions and Defining Moments
Ethical Decisions: Choosing between two options one we know to be right and the other wrong Defining Moments: One which challenges us in a deeper way by asking us to choose between two or more ideals in which we deeply believe-such decisions rarely have one correct response-taken cumulatively over time, defining moments form our individual character
A guide to Defining Moments
For Individuals -> Understanding Who am I ? what feelings and intuitions come into conflict in a situation? Which values are most deeply rooted in my life? What combinations of expediency and shrewdness, coupled with imagination and boldness, helps me communicate and implement my personal understanding of wht is right ?
For Managers of Work groups ->Who are We ?
What are the other strong persuasive interpretations of the ethics of the situation ?What point of view is most likely to win a contest within the organisation ? Have I orchestrated a process to convincingly communicate and manifest the values I care about in my organisation?
For Company Executives-> Who is the company ?
Have I done all I can to secure my position and the strength of the organisation ?
Have I thought creatively and boldly communicated my thoughts about the role of my organisation in society and its relationship with its stakeholders ? What combinations of shrewdness, creativity and tenacity will help me choose and communicate convincingly my vision and transform this into a reality ?
Case of Steve Lewis: a)clear about wanting to make a career in Investment Banking and become a Partner in the firm; b) wants to earn this position on merit c)Was willing to put up with the long and arduous work of a first year analyst to meet his larger career goals d) His Background: African-American
Issue : Steve Lewis-job in an investment banking firm in Manhattan Asked one day if he could fly to St.Loius, Missouri, eastern part of the US, in two days to help with a presentation to an important prospective client, a state treasurer who wants to see at least one black professional at the meeting or else no chance of being considered for the business deal , a)What should Steve Lewis communicate to his boss?
an episode when his parents booked a reservation in a restaurant that did not serve blacks When they arrived the hostess told them there had been a mistake..the reservation was lost and they could not be seated What does the mother do?..
makes a new reservation in her maiden name( his father was a famous athlete whose name was widely recognised)..hostess books and is compelled to give a seat when they arrive Niccolo Machiavelli( ethical pragmatist),Idealism untempered by realism often does little to improve the world
Face Vase
Perception is indeed a reality for each one of us !
Smart and Conscious Communication is all about making others receptive to our point of view
In this illusion the figure and the ground are reversible in all ways
Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago
US President Barack Obama , in the aftermath of the controversial verdict of a Florida court acquitting the teenaged Martins alleged killer, which has sparked a new Communication debate on race relations in America impact is a
