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Student name: ________________________________Date:
_______________
MODULE 6
Develop and describe positive working
relationships with others on the job.
Objectives:
A. Define the term "interdependence"
and explain how this is important in developing positive working relationships.
B. List your own positive personal traits.
C. List and
develop a plan of action to eliminate your own negative personal traits.
MODULE 6: INFORMATION SHEET
TO THE STUDENT: Read and study this information sheet and then complete
the student activities at the end of this module.
Work Relationships
The first step in developing positive working relationships on the job is to understand that you are dependent upon other people and they are dependent upon you in the workplace. This interdependence (two or more people who rely upon one another for some reason) of people also extends to our personal life -- People are normally dependent upon one another for many different things.
The
primary reason for employees losing their jobs is poor human relations skills
(they fail to get along with other employees in the work place). For this
reason, developing positive working relationships is essential. In a place
of employment, all employees must work toward the same goal. In doing this,
each individual employee's behavior and attitudes affect almost every other
worker in the business. The general effectiveness of the work group is influenced
by each employee’s moods, attitudes, personal hygiene, mental health, communication
skills, etc.
In
CAPS 4 you completed a self-evaluation of your own personality traits and
asked a classmate to evaluate you as well. As you may have seen, the evaluation
of other people may not be the same as our own personal evaluation. The way
we personally see a situation versus the way it is viewed by others has a
strong bearing on positive working relationships on the job. Begin today to
develop the positive attitude and personal traits that will enhance the working
relationship in your work station.
Positive Personal Traits
In order to develop positive working relationships
on the job and in your personal life, try to develop some of your more positive
personal traits. The following list describes some of the more desirable personal
traits.
1. Communication Skills - Develop your
ability to express yourself to customers, co-workers, and management in a
calm, positive manner. Don't jump to conclusions and don't lose your cool!
2. Personal Appearance & Hygiene
- People form an initial impression of you within 10 seconds of first sight.
This impression can make or break a relationship from the start.
3. Dependability & Reliability -
Always carry through any commitments you make--Be at work on time, complete
your assigned daily tasks before leaving work; never put off until tomorrow
what you have time for today; do what you say you will do, follow the rules
and instructions of your place of business, even if you feel your way is better,
etc.
4. Initiative - Take the responsibility
to do things without being told. Seek out additional tasks - even those you don't particularly like.
5. Cooperative Attitude - Be a "team
player!" Learn to cooperate with
others by compromising on differences, remaining neutral on conflicts between
others and being willing to change and adjust to benefit your workplace.
6. Honesty & Loyalty - Don't become
involved in "office gossip." Never discuss work problems within
earshot of customers and never discuss negatives about the business away from
work.
7. Positive Attitude - Learn to see
the bright side of things. Smile and show interest and enthusiasm during your
day at work. Show an interest in the people around you and the business in
general. Enthusiasm is contagious.
Changing Negative Personal Traits
Negative personal traits can be changed when three conditions occur:
1. You must be able to recognize and acknowledge
your negative traits.
2. You must want to change or eliminate these traits.
3. You must make a decision to take action to stop
these negative traits.
Change will not occur automatically. You must make
every effort to change or eliminate the undesirable trait. If you are like
most people, it is very difficult to identify your own negative traits because
people generally like to view themselves in the best light.
MODULE 6: STUDENT ACTIVITIES
TO THE STUDENT: After reading and studying the information sheet,
complete these activities to demonstrate your understanding.
1. Describe in complete paragraphs what you would do in the following situations.