Let's face it, even though we aren't in high school any more, people really just don't change all that much. If I had to choose one aspect of office behavior that is the most important for maintaining harmony, it would be attitude.There are lots of types of folks out there; people who flourish when around other people, people who would just rather keep to themselves and get the job done, people who strive to make everyone's work day a success by being friendly and helpful, and yet others who want EVERYONE'S workday to be as miserable as their own.
What type of office worker are you? Well, ask yourself a few little questions and perhaps you will see where you stand on the behavior chart. If you find that you are kind of at the bottom of the ranks of people who make office productivity better, maybe you could make a few changes for the better.
If there is one cubicle in the office where people come and go all day long, that doesn't necessarily mean that person is just completing work for all those people and maybe they are just picking up finished assignments.
If said visitors to that cubicle stand and snigger while facing in the direction of other cubicles, it could be that some hapless cubicle dweller is the victim of some high school age behavior. People who constantly talk about other coworkers are a nuisance. Have you ever heard the phrase, "if you don't have something nice to say..." Yeah. Just grow up people.
If you are NOT the offending worker whom everyone is visiting to conduct their snipefest, but perhaps a visitor yourself...stay in your own cubicle. Misery loves company and the sniper won't have any ammunition at all with which to shoot darts at anyone else, if they have no one to tell about it.
Ask yourself the following:
- Am I completing my assignments each workday and not leaving a pile behind that I will "catch up tomorrow?"
- Do I mind my own business when it comes to other coworkers' business?
- Do I laugh when someone tells me a bad story about another coworker?
- Do I participate in gossip about other people/coworkers?
- Am I armed with a smile when I walk by someone?
- Am I constantly the one people are gossiping about?
- What do I do when I find out someone has said something less than nice about me?
- How do I feel when I have participated in a discussion about someone else in less than a positive light?
These are but a few of the things you should ask yourself if you are dreading going to work every day.
Don't be a part of the office gripe/snipe team people. Let's pretend we are all grownups now and not still some group of prickly teenagers who can't seem to grasp the whole "do unto others" concept.
That is my number one reason that poison office environments exist. I believe people need to be more considerate toward each other. Does it really make them feel better to make others feel bad? Think about your behavior, and if it less than stellar in this department, perhaps it is time for a change.
If you make the effort to make others happy; if you intentionally go out of your way to make your office atmosphere better by attempting to make others happier, I think you will be happier in your job too.
All UPSable
