“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” Abraham Lincoln

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.publishing as Pearson [imprint]Professionalism: Skills for Workplace Success, 2/e

Lydia E. Anderson • Sandra B. Bolt

ACCOUNTABILITY AND WORKPLACE RELATIONSHIPS

Chapter 10

Copyright ©2011 by Pearson Education, Inc.publishing as Pearson [imprint]



“You cannot escape the responsibility of

tomorrow by evading it today.”

Abraham Lincoln




OBJECTIVES• Define and link the concepts of empowerment,

responsibility, and accountability• Describe how best to deal with your boss• Describe how to respond when a workplace

relationship turns negative• Identify appropriate and inappropriate

relationships with your boss, colleagues, executives, and customers

• Identify basic workplace expectations regarding social functions and gift-giving




EMPOWERMENT

• Empowerment: pushing power and decision-making to the individuals who are closest to the customer in an effort to increase:– Quality– Customer satisfaction– Profit




EMPOWERMENTEmployees’ Direct Contribution

• Employees making a direct contribution to the company’s activities results in:– Improved performance– Increased quality – Improved customer satisfaction




EMPOWERMENT• Responsibility—employees accepting

the power being given to them and the obligation to perform

• Accountability—reports back on accepted responsibility– Employees are accountable to perform their

best to:• Each other• Bosses• Customers • Investors




PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY• Each employee must take personal

responsibility for his or her performance– Be on time– Do not take sick leave when well– Do what is expected– During work hours, work

• Not being accountable to your coworkers leads to poor workplace relationships




WORKPLACE RELATIONSHIPS• Consistently behave professionally and

respectfully to all• Socializing with coworkers is both

expected and acceptable to a degree• Do not make workplace relationships your

only circle of friends– Difficult to separate work from personal issues– Creates employee distrust– Potential for favoritism




WORKPLACE RELATIONSHIPS

• Workplace relationships include:– Coworkers– Bosses/executives– Investors– Vendors – Customers




EXECUTIVES AND SENIOR OFFICIALS

• May interact during:– Meetings– Corporate events– Social functions

• In meetings:– Do not dominate a discussion– Politely introduce and do not interrupt– Objective is to create a favorable and memorable

impression – Do not speak poorly of anyone– Let executive guide the conversation




YOUR BOSS• Three types of bosses:

– Good boss– Incompetent boss– Abusive boss

• Bosses are human– They are learning and developing their skills– They are not perfect– Assume they are doing their best– No matter what type of boss you have, give your

personal best




YOUR BOSS– Good Boss: one who is respectful and fair and will

groom you for a promotion• Be thankful but cautious• Keep the relationship professional– While it is acceptable to share important activities

occurring in your personal life with your boss, never divulge too much personal information

– Take advantage of your good boss– Use your boss as a professional mentor– Imitate his or her professional qualities




YOUR BOSS– Incompetent Boss: one who does not

know how to do his or her job • No matter how bad the boss, remain

professional and respectful• Make your boss look good• Demonstrates maturity• Diminishes tension between you and your

boss




YOUR BOSSThe Bad or Incompetent Boss (cont.)• Boss receives credit for your hard work

– If boss is a poor performer, others in the company will know

– Your good work will get noticed by others• Personality conflict

– Do not let personal feelings affect performance– Stay positive and be of value to your boss– Do not bad-mouth boss– Learn what not to do when you become a boss




YOUR BOSS• Abusive Boss: one who is constantly belittling

or intimidating employees• Behavior is based on low self-esteem• If tolerable, do your best with the situation• If intolerable:

– Remain professional– Do not go to boss’s boss– Document facts and incidents– Seek confidential advice from HRM department– If unresolved, confidentially seek new job

• Employees have rights against discrimination and harassment




COLLEAGUES• Be friendly and respectful to all• Be cautious

– Do not base friendships on work-related issues

– When close work friendships occur, others assume favoritism

• When personal friendships go sour, it will affect workplace performance– Awkward for both parties




OTHERS WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION

• Network with others within the organization• Keep all interactions positive and respectful• Defend all employees• Corporate (organizational) culture: the

company’s personality reflected through its employees’ behavior

• Employee morale: the attitude employees have toward the company




WHEN RELATIONSHIPS TURN NEGATIVE

1. If you harmed the other person (intentionally or unintentionally), apologize immediately

2. If apology is accepted, demonstrate regret by changing your behavior

3. If apology is not accepted, move on and demonstrate regret by changing (improving) your behavior




WHEN RELATIONSHIPS TURN NEGATIVE (cont.)

4. If the relationship is lost, do not hold a grudge; continue being polite, respectful, and professional to the offended co-worker

5. If your offended co-worker acts rudely or inappropriately, do not retaliate by returning the poor behavior; respond with kindness

6. If rude and inappropriate behavior impacts performance or is hostile or harassing, document the situation and inform boss




DATING AT WORK• Many companies discourage co-workers from

dating each other• Dating your boss is highly inappropriate• Use caution when dating vendors/customers• You are representing the company 24/7• Do not share confidential information• Do not speak poorly of company/co-workers• It is best to keep your romantic life separate

from work




SOCIALIZING• Picnics, potlucks, and other celebrations• Some enjoy social functions; others do not• It is rude to not attend/acknowledge functions

taking place at the workplace– Stop by, even briefly, to send regards

• Attendance at work-related social events occurring outside of the worksite is optional

• Use caution when alcohol is being served– It is best to refrain from alcohol




SHARED WORK AREAS

• Cubicles and open work areas• Respect privacy of each workspace as if it

were an individual office• In shared work areas avoid:

– Loud noises– Smells– Distractions that interrupt or annoy others

• Stand at entrance to work area and wait for invitation to enter work area

• Do not take or use items without permission




TALK IT OUT

What are common distractions that employees should avoid doing in a common work area?




BREAKS AND THE BREAK ROOM

• Contribute to community coffee/snack fund if you partake

• Do not eat others’ food being stored in the refrigerator

• Throw out your unused or spoiled food at the end of each workweek

• Clean up after yourself• Leave things clean for the next person




MISCELLANEOUS WORKPLACE ISSUES

• Use caution when fundraising to co-workers• Gift-giving is not required

– Give discretely if you choose to give• Group gifts for Boss’s Day or Secretary’s Day

are common– Not mandatory to give– If you decline to participate, no negative comments

• If you receive a gift, immediately send a thank-you note




MISCELLANEOUS WORKPLACE ISSUES (Cont.)

• Good employees take ownership of common work areas

• Practice common courtesy– Refill empty coffee pot– Refill copy machine when low on paper

• When office machine is jammed, do not leave problem for someone else to solve– If unable to solve, alert someone who can fix the

problem

“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” Abraham Lincoln

Documents

Transcript of “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” Abraham Lincoln