While every company can and should clearly outline behaviors that have zero tolerance at work such as harassment, discrimination, hate speech, and violent behavior in their employee handbooks – many other behaviors, while more subtle, can also create a toxic and hostile environment.
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Show Up: On Time, Every Time, Prepared to Work.Dependable employees don’t merely show up, and they certainly don’t regularly saunter in late carrying drive through take out. Dependable employees arrive on time (or even early) prepared to begin working at the agree |
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Consistently Commit to Quality WorkTaking pride in your work, paying close attention to detail, and being committed to quality is a core trait of dependable employees. While quantity also matters in many instances, quality will always trump quantity – it is up to you to strike a healthy balance between the two. #TipsToThrive #WorldOfWork #ManpowerMaine #BackToBasics |
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Follow Through on CommitmentsWhether you are assigned a project with a deadline, signed up to volunteer for a committee, or offered to cover someone else’s shift – once you make a commitment it is vital that you follow through. This also means knowing when to say no, if being asked to help out and you aren’t confident you will be able to follow through it is important that you recognize it and be transparent. #TipsToThrive #WorldOfWork #ManpowerMaine #BackToBasics |
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Be Someone People Can Count OnBeing someone that people can count on, means that you act with consistency. Naturally there will come a time when you have an ‘off’ day, but that is not the norm. When you work with people or rely on someone else you want to be able to count on them – its up to you to offer that same level of dependability. #TipsToThrive #WorldOfWork #ManpowerMaine #BackToBasics |
Click on the links below to access other tips we have shared throughout this series.
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Can you be counted on? No, really… how confident are you that your employer or other members of your team would describe you as dependable? And what does that even mean? Dependability is the quality that lets people know that you will do what you said you would do, when you said you will do it, and you will do it to the best of your ability – each and every time. If you are dependable sometimes, then the real truth is that you are not fully dependable, because consistency is a vital component of dependability.
This is not to say that the idea of being dependable is an all or nothing trait. There can be areas of your work in which you can clearly be relied upon, and then other areas where you fall a little short – at the end of the day aren’t we all works in progress? When you look at all the professional areas where dependability matters, are you checking off more boxes than not? If so, you are sitting pretty. If not, and your goal is to succeed professionally, you have some work to do.
Here are a few areas in which dependability is measured; what boxes are you checking off?
The schedule that you were given wasn’t merely a suggestion, it is an expectation of the hours you will be committing to work that was set based upon business needs. When you regularly call out of work at the last minute, or casually stroll in late carrying your Dunkin coffee and breakfast sandwich, you are sending a clear message that you can not be relied on to manage your time. The same can be said for arriving in the parking lot at your scheduled time, and then sauntering around the office for the first 30 minutes of your day making breakfast and catching up on last night’s primetime line-up with your co-workers.
Time management is a core skill that all employers are looking for – so to be considered dependable in relation to your time management, you show up on time, every time, and ready to work.
You have been hired to do a job, and with that comes the understanding that the employer (and the rest of your team) is counting on you to consistently meet deadlines and any other performance expectations. The business’ success depends on each employee’s commitment to carry out their job to the best of their ability. No one is at a hundred percent all the time, but the difference lies in your drive and determination to deliver.
A dependable employee is someone who does not look at deadlines and performance expectations as “nice-to-haves”, they view them as a mission. That means they work diligently to meet the goals and if they have concerns about falling short, they communicate their concerns in a timely manner, look for support and/or training, and are prone to taking forward-thinking positive action versus hiding behind excuses.
Companies put a lot of time and energy into establishing policies and procedures that keep everyone in the organization moving in the same direction, following the same rules, and create a level playing field for all team members. Policies are developed to protect both the company and their employees by setting defined expectations in a range of areas. Part of the onboarding process for the vast majority of organizations includes providing a copy of (or access to) an employee handbook where all policies and procedures are outlined.
If you want to demonstrate that you are dependable, instead of filing the handbook in the back of your cabinet or stuffing it into the bookcase at home never to be seen again, you will take the time to familiarize yourself with the official company policies and follow them – regardless of what common practice may be.
Just doing a “good enough” job is not enough. You are also being counted on to produce quality work. It doesn’t matter if you are assembling widgets on a line, crafting a highly publicized press release, or crunching endless numbers on a spreadsheet – people are relying on you for accuracy. When you neglect the details or sloppily go about your work, it will negatively impact the company, your reputation, and likely will lead you to the unemployment line.
When you pay attention to detail, leave time for a second set of eyes for editing, stay focused, and avoid careless mistakes, you will demonstrate that you can be consistently relied on to produce quality work.
There will be times in your career that you may be called on to step up, help out, or take on a new bold initiative – can you be counted on to rise to the challenge and deliver? Naturally, most people are eager to help – but before you raise your hand and jump in blindly, ask yourself “am I able?” If you sign up to take on a new challenge but are not able to fully commit or lack the skills necessary to really tackle the task, you won’t be doing yourself or anyone else any favors. Also, if you spend all your time helping others and neglecting your own responsibilities, you are ultimately putting yourself and the company in a bad position.
Being dependable doesn’t mean always saying yes and jumping at the word go – it means that you have the ability to offer meaningful support outside of your traditional role while balancing your other responsibilities. It also means that you can be counted on to make a quick and thoughtful decision on your ability to deliver, and gracefully saying no if you can’t.
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Dependability is a trait that all companies look for in potential employees. Why? Think about it – if you need to hire someone to do something for you, like fixing wiring in your home, will your first choice be an electrician who came with excellent recommendations, or one with a history of showing up late and doing poor quality work? It is likely that you will choose the one who seems to be the most dependable and qualified, because the safety of your home and your need for electricity depends upon it.
It’s no different when companies are hiring; they too have an important job that needs to get done, and they need to be able to count on whomever they entrust it to, because the future of their business and the success of their team depends on it. You can have a dazzling personality and great professional experience, but if a hiring manager has doubts about whether you can be depended on to consistently show up and consistently perform your job to the best of your ability, they may decide that employing you would not result in a stable, successful partnership.
Don’t leave your job search success to chance – follow these simple tips to inspire confidence in your dependability:
One great way to put your best foot forward AND ease your pre-interview jitters is to prepare for your interview. Carefully read through the job advertisement and do some research on the company – their website is a great place to start. This research will help you with the second phase of your interview preparation: practicing discussing your work history and answering common interview questions. Being knowledgeable about the job and the company will help you develop a greater understanding of what they are looking for, so as you’re answering their questions, you can ensure that you discuss your most relevant experience, skills, and traits. Practicing some of these responses beforehand will help you feel more confident and ready to communicate why you’re the best person for the job.
If you’ve been asked to bring a resume, transcript, or any other additional materials with you, print them out in advance and put them somewhere you will see them before you leave for the interview so that you won’t forget them.
Setting the expectation that people can count on you is important, especially in the early stages of the hiring process – hiring managers don’t have much information about you at that point, so their observations of your behavior during the process play a significant role in their decision making. So show up on time, be ready to talk about your work history, and focus your attention on your interviewer. Plan on shutting your phone off upon arrival to your interview and checking any personal issues at the door. This will help you minimize distractions so you can be fully engaged and make the best first impression possible.
If the company requests that you take additional steps after the interview, such as providing additional information or completing assessments, that’s a good sign – it means they’re interested in you and want to know more! But don’t get too comfortable yet; be sure to follow through with these tasks in a timely manner. Think of it like completing your first work assignment – would you approach that with the mindset of ‘I’ll get to it when I get to it’? Of course not! You’d prioritize it to show that it’s important to you, that you can rise to the challenge, and you can be counted on when it matters most. Now is the time to show them all of those desirable qualities and establish yourself as a reliable and dependable worker.
Maybe you found a different job, maybe you’re no longer interested, or maybe life circumstances changed and pursuing this opportunity no longer makes sense for your situation. It’s okay to change your mind, but whatever the reason, be respectful by promptly notifying the employer. This not only helps prevent wasted time and effort on their part, but also helps you preserve your reputation with that company. You never know when another job with that organization might become available, and if you’ve proven yourself undependable by disappearing on the hiring manager, it’s likely that door of opportunity will be closed to you.
Make sure you are communicating important information in a timely manner so that both you and the employer are on the same page throughout the process. For instance, if you’ve accepted a job interview, but your circumstances change and the schedule that was advertised will no longer work for you, contact the employer to discuss those changes prior to the interview. Maybe they’ll have another shift or job opening they could consider you for, maybe they won’t – either way, they will appreciate that they can count on your honesty, and you’ll both be better off knowing where things stand before investing more valuable time and energy.
Similarly, if you have concerns about the job or work environment, don’t just keep them to yourself and hope for the best – discuss them during the interview so that you can get more information and make an educated decision about your employment. This will help you prevent entering jobs or work environments that aren’t a good fit for you, enabling you to focus your search on jobs you can thrive in.
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Since so many of your waking hours are spent at work, it is natural that the workplace can start to resemble one giant family. When everyone adheres to set standards of appropriate workplace behavior and respectable social etiquette, your workplace family will feel like a Norman Rockwell painting. However, when team members engage in toxic behaviors – well, you will have a one-way ticket for arrival at dysfunction junction, and no one wants that.
How people behave at work can have a major influence on the overall company culture, reputation, and business results – and a lasting impact on the personal brand of the individuals themselves. While most organizations work to set consistent standards of workplace behavior and outline those expectations in their employee manuals, the actual management and enforcement of those standards can be a little more complicated. This is due to many situations having blurred lines requiring case-by-case flexibility, which often can lead to confusion and inconsistency. The key for any employee is to focus their attention on their own behaviors versus the behavior of others.
Here are some simple ways that you can demonstrate you are an active participant in modeling appropriate workplace behavior.
To be inclusive means to embrace diversity and to be respectful of the differences of others. At the end of the day we all share more commonalities than we do differences – so focusing on what you have in common with each of your team members is a great place to start. Workplaces that are filled with people holding different views, life experiences, and personalities are generally far more successful than those that do not. Individuals that have increased exposure to people that are different than them typically tend to be more well-rounded both professionally and personally.
It does not take much to demonstrate inclusivity in the workplace – simply be civil, respectful, open, and inviting. You know, just treat people how you would like to be treated – how easy is that?
Sometimes what we share in common with our fellow employees is a frustration within the organization, an annoyance with another team member, or some scandalous water cooler chatter – and that can make it easy to validate negative feelings through commiserating or spreading gossip. Here is the thing though; any positive release you may experience when taking a jaunt down whisper alley is brief, but the negative impacts can be far-reaching. The truth is when you engage in gossip it says far more about your character than is does about the original issue that got under your skin, and chances are that whomever you are gossiping with is likely to be gossiping about you down the road too.
When faced with an annoyance, ask yourself – what does this have to do with me? Will it matter in 5 minutes, 5 weeks, or 5 years? By putting a reality check on your frustrations, you are allowing yourself to remove the emotional component and stay grounded.
Chances are you have forged strong relationships at work, and that is a good thing – but in order to protect your personal life from becoming workplace fodder, and to avoid making people around you uncomfortable, it is important to avoid oversharing. Naturally, you may have a workplace confidante that you share more private details of your life with, but those types of conversations are best handled outside of the workplace. Oversharing can be completely unintended as well; sometimes you have to make a call to the doctors, pay a bill, or take a call from a family member and if at all possible, it is best that those moments be handled on break, in a private room, or outside.
Not only should you refrain from oversharing, it is also critically important that you don’t engage in asking or pushing for personal details from others you work with. Not only can asking deeply personal questions create an uncomfortable situation, it could also put both you and the company in legal jeopardy.
Welcome to 2019. Controversy seems to be pretty abundant in today’s society – so telling you to refrain from it may seem like an impossible task, but it really isn’t. There is a time and a place for all kinds of conversations and open dialogue about controversial issues – the workplace is not it though. If you think about it, isn’t the idea of a controversy-free space a rather refreshing idea? Sharing opinions on hot-button subjects, political views, and subjects of morality should be avoided in the traditional workplace. There are times when it may not be avoided, for instance a new law may have a direct impact on your work – when faced with a situation like that, the key is to focus solely on discussing the law and what impact it has on the job or the company and nothing more.
There is likely going to be a time when someone brings up a local or national controversial subject that may strike a chord with you, or ask your opinion on it – never be afraid to politely say “I understand you are interested in that subject, but I choose not to engage in such discussions at work.” A graceful exit from the conversation will send a clear message that you are not interested in discussing the topic, while also not putting the person who brought it up on the defensive.
It is said that “rising tides raise all ships” – are you a rising tide, or are you a falling one? The idea is that when people around you are successful, you will be more successful as well. This makes it even more fascinating that so many in the workplace have this ‘dog-eat-dog’ attitude, which can create a conflict filled, self-serving, and overall hostile work environment. Check your ego, hostility, aggression, misery, and judgmental tendencies at the door and just watch the increased performance of everyone around you. This isn’t bingo; if your co-worker celebrates a win – you should celebrate with them. If they are working hard and getting hung up on something – offer a helping hand. If you accomplished a goal, give a nod to those that helped you be successful. Don’t sabotage others for your own gain, because face it – you are all in it together and need to be able to rely on each other.
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While every company can and should clearly outline behaviors that have zero tolerance at work such as harrassment, discrimination, hate speech, and violent behavior in their employee handbooks – many other behaviors, while more subtle, can also create a toxic and hostile environment.
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Be Inclusive.Being inclusive doesn’t mean that you have to be best buddies with everyone you work with, it simply means that you are civil, respectful, open, and inviting. Simply treat others how you would like to be treated, be welcoming, and avoid getting caught up in petty, members-only style cliques in the workplace. Check your ego and judgmental tendencies at the door. #TipsToThrive #WorldOfWork #ManpowerMaine #BackToBasics |
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Avoid Controversial Hot Button TopicsThere are enough places for you to engage in debates on hot button subjects like politics, religion, and discussions of morality – the workplace is not one of them. If you crave some idle chatter while you work, that’s fine – but topics that are bound to lead to controversy or heated debate should be saved for when you are not at work. If you think about it, isn’t the idea of a controversy-free space rather refreshing? #TipsToThrive #WorldOfWork #ManpowerMaine #BackToBasics |
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Gossiping Doesn’t Suit YouYou will get annoyed with people, you will get frustrated by something that happens at work, you may even overhear some information that wasn’t intended to be shared – it happens. No matter what, keep it to yourself. Any immediate relief you may get from gossiping is sure to be short-lived, but the ramifications of it could be far-reaching. And the truth is, gossiping says far more about you than it does about the subject. #TipsToThrive #WorldOfWork #ManpowerMaine #BackToBasics |
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Respect Personal BoundariesNo one wants their personal life to become workplace fodder. It is no fun for the individual and it could make it awkward for those you work with. To avoid this uncomfortable situation it is important to refrain from oversharing intimate details of your life – both intentionally through talking openly with a co-worker, or unintentionally by talking a little loudly on a personal call. Not only should you not be oversharing details about your life, you should not be asking for overly personal details from others either. #TipsToThrive #WorldOfWork #ManpowerMaine #BackToBasics |
Click on the links below to access other tips we have shared throughout this series.
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It’s amazing how putting a group of different personalities in one space can create such a vibrant and diverse work environment. Different people bring with them new approaches, strengths, and ideas – and employers understand that these things lead to a more well-rounded team as well as improved business results. If everyone was the same, not only would that be boring, but lack of diversity in thought would likely stagnate progress. An important thing to keep in mind, however, is that no matter how different we all are, there is a minimum standard of acceptable behavior that we must adhere to in the world of work – and employers are paying attention to how you conduct yourself in interviews to make sure you can meet that standard. To keep your behavior in check, be mindful of these simple tips when you head to your next interview:
This tip never goes out of style, and following it is imperative to job search success. When you set an appointment for an interview, the person you’re meeting with has carved out that time especially for you. If for any reason you are running late, cannot keep the appointment, or are no longer interested in the job, it is common courtesy to notify the employer as soon as you can before the appointment. Life happens and things come up – but failing to take the simple step of notifying your interviewer shows a lack of respect for the employer’s time and hiring efforts, and demonstrates that you’re either not taking your job search seriously, or you lack reliability. Reliability is a core trait that employers look for in potential employees, so it is vital that you take the steps needed to show that you have it. Nobody likes to be brushed off or stood up – or hire people that they can’t count on.
We all like a cheering section, but when arriving for an interview, don’t bring an entourage. If you need the assistance of an authorized support person, that is one thing – but bringing your significant other or friends could negatively impact your candidacy. An interview is a professional occasion and should be treated as such; uninvited guests could be a distraction that draws your interviewer’s attention away from where it should be – on you and all the things that make you the right person for the job. It may also cause the hiring manager to question how seriously you are looking for work, and that is not a concern you want to raise when you’re trying to build a relationship with a potential employer. In addition to interviewing independently, make sure you are following up on your applications independently as well – having someone take this step for you, once again, raises concerns about your level of engagement in the process – and employers can’t discuss that information with anyone but the applicant anyway.
Just as you deserve the undivided attention of your interviewer, they deserve your undivided attention as well. To minimize distractions and avoid disrespectful behavior like checking your phone – or worse – taking a call during your interview, turn off your cell the moment you arrive at the interview location. We’ve all become so dependent on our phones that checking it is often like a reflex – sometimes we’re scrolling through our feeds before we even realize it. So even if you put yours on silent with the best of intentions, you’re taking a chance. It’s best to just remove that temptation altogether. The hiring manager will appreciate your attentiveness, and your focus will help you nail those interview questions!
You’ll never argue your way into a job – in fact, being belligerent or argumentative in the interview is a great way to ensure that you are not given consideration for that job or any other within the company. Soft skills like communication and teamwork are very important in nearly every work environment, so if you cannot express disagreement or difference in opinion tactfully and respectfully within the interview, it doesn’t build any faith in your ability to do so on the job. To preserve your credibility with the employer and keep the hiring process moving in a positive direction, always be respectful and mindful of manners – including what you say and the tone in which you say it.
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Each of us are unique individuals filled with strengths, abilities, weaknesses, and flaws, all stitched together like a quirky quilt. It is that uniqueness that makes us all special, that differentiates us from others, and keeps the world interesting. With that being said, when working with other humans there are times that those quirky traits and differences can create conflict and pose challenges, which is why having a healthy amount of self-awareness is critical to professional success.
Being self-aware does not mean that you can’t be your authentic self; it simply means that you take the time to be consciously aware of what makes you tick, triggers that you may have, and how you may be perceived by others – and being able to make adjustments when appropriate. Having this deeper insight about yourself with help propel you to greater success by strengthening your emotional intelligence and guiding your interactions with others to drive positive outcomes.
One of the hardest but most enlightening questions you can ask yourself is, “what is my motive?” We all have reasons and deeper motivations behind the things we do, and the first step to growth is taking the time to identify your motives. Motives, while we most often hear them in conjunction with crimes, aren’t negative to the core – they are very simply the “why” behind your personal choice, and that motivation could be different for everyone.
Every choice you make, whether it is applying for that team leader position or whether or not you friend your co-workers on social media, has a reason behind it. Acknowledging your motives (positive, negative, or fear-driven) is the first step of self-awareness and will help you make the best possible choices that are geared to your personal goals. One other key to professional success and personal happiness is refraining from jumping to conclusions and assigning motives to others. Again, motives are deeply personal, therefore no matter the observations you have made or interactions you have had – you do not have all the information needed to make such a judgement call.
How you communicate with others is directly tied to your own personality and preferences, so unless you only work with people that share your same style of communication, it is important that you recognize that many different styles, and change your approach depending on your audience. Also, make a concerted effort to recognize your individual style and how it can come across to others – and whether or not it helps or hinders results and relationships.
From how you speak, to the phrasing you choose, to the body language you display – your communication style has a significant impact on how your message is received. The more effort you put into adjusting or mirroring the style of the recipient of the message, the more apt you are to achieve the intended result. If you experience a communication breakdown, stop. Take a moment to breathe, step back, read your audience’s reaction, and adjust. It is a sign of strength to be able to take a moment to acknowledge the disconnect and re-engage with a different approach. You will find this strategy is effective in both in-person and digital communication.
Triggers. Ticks. Pet-Peeves. You have them, just like everyone else – and the guttural annoyance they create within you can sometimes manifest into a full-blown emotional response. Emotional responses, while natural, can create a professional challenge for you – so proactively taking steps to identify what sets you off, developing strategies to prevent any potential emotional outbursts that may display as anger, anxiety, crying, or inappropriate laughter, and recognizing how to address ongoing issues in a more formal way, will serve you well. What are situations that have a history of setting you off – last minute deadlines, getting interrupted, or excessive noise? When in a situation like that and you are nearing an emotional response, what warning signs is your body giving you (flushed cheeks, heart racing, nervousness, lip biting)?
By making note of the situations that trigger you and your body’s signals, you can strategize ways to preempt an emotional response – such as a quick walk outside, putting on headphones when it is noisy, or creating a to-do list to keep you focused on the things you can control. Of course, if you are experiencing an issue that goes beyond an annoyance and is resulting in a hostile or troubled working environment, take the time to make note of the facts and bring it to the attention of leadership in a professional way.
Unless you are a sole proprietor, you are likely an inhabitant of a delicate worksite eco-system. And, as a member of a shared workspace, it is important to be a positive contributor to your work environment. Be mindful about the cleanliness of your work area, the noise you emit from your space, your personal work habits, the smells you bring into the space – and how these things can impact others, so you can do your part to make things comfortable for all.
Being able to set boundaries for shared work environments is key to building successful relationships, eliminating petty squabbles, and driving productivity for all. Before you walk away from the running microwave and fill the office with the unrelenting smell of burnt popcorn, leave that half-full cup o’ java at your desk over the weekend, or get the urge to angrily type that email reply while incessantly clicking your pen – pause and consider if you are contributing to a comfortable work environment.
Are you checked-in or have you checked-out and just keep showing up every day? It is important, not only to your professional success but to your happiness as well, to ask yourself this question regularly. How engaged you are at work is a choice that you make. While there could be issues that lead to your being disengaged or checked-out, if you stay in that state of mind – you have made that choice. If you are checked-in, it doesn’t mean that you blindly agree to everything that happens in the organization – it means that you care enough to succeed anyway, and actively look for opportunities to positively impact results. Being checked-in doesn’t mean you don’t have a bad day, it means that you are committed enough to put a bad day behind you. If you are checked-in, you make a personal choice to perform to the best of your ability – and that is key to long-term success.
Now if you have found that you are simply checked-out, but still keep showing up anyway – you are not doing yourself any favors. Chances are your work days are dragging on like “The Long Night” episode of Game of Thrones – you were there, it felt really dark, things happened, but you aren’t quite sure what those things were. If that is where you are professionally – it is time to make a change.
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In order to thrive in the world of work and contribute to the delicate workforce ecosystem, we all must commit to being self-aware. This doesn’t mean you can’t be your authentic-self or embrace the diversity that your individual style and quirks offer – it means you are willing to reflect on how you may be perceived by others.
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Be Aware of What Makes You TickWe all have things that fuel us and things that drive us a little crazy. Knowing what makes you tick can help you find inspiration in times of defeat, and can help you strategize ways to overcome common annoyances that could trigger your frustration. |
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Consider How Others Perceive YouYou have probably heard the expression, “you catch more flies with honey.” Ultimately, what this means is that to achieve favorable results and build solid relationships, you need to be aware of how you come across to others, and be willing to adjust your approach when necessary. |
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Keep Your Motives In CheckWe all have personal reasons behind the choices we make. Being aware of the motives behind your choices and keeping them in check can help you make the best possible decisions to propel you forward in your career, and you will be more likely to have the ability to sustain that momentum. |
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Check-in or Check-OutHow engaged you are at work is a personal choice. If you truly want to thrive at work, you must be committed to being checked-in and doing your very best each day. If you are at the point where you are just showing up and not caring about the quality of your work, then it is time to make some important professional decisions about your future. |
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Temper Your Emotional ResponsesHaving intense emotional responses at work can hurt you professionally and damage your credibility. You are human and will naturally experience different emotions in the workplace – what is important is knowing how to manage those emotions in the most productive way, and paying attention to warning signs that you could be nearing an outburst. |
Click on the links below to access other tips we have shared throughout this series.
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