This is a tough one. Before I had read so much on maintaining character and integrity, I was a "gives as one gets" philosophy - only I always had to win. That in plain language is called SPITE.
Even though you may be in a professional environment meant to be one of mutual respect, this has not been my experience. Here are some tips that have helped my maintain my integrity in unprofessional situations.
1) Always maintain your composure, even calm. You are responsible for your response and attitude regardless of how you were approached. Walk away if necessary.
2) Remember, people always come first, especially if your sitution is about an employee, friend or co-worker. You need to keep in mind that you are looking for the win/win - even if it means you don't get your way.
3) Try additional approaches to the situation - ask questions, offer some other ideas or options, continue the discussion if needed. Do not delay a decision though if it is detrimental to a person (as identifed in #2)
4) Seek guidance from a co-worker who may have insight on ways to handle the situation.
5) DO NOT TALK ABOUT THE SITUATION in a negative way with other people. This only hurts you and it is unprofessional.
So, if you find this helpful, please respond. If you have other ideas, add them.
2 comments:
1) Always maintain your composure, even calm. You are responsible for your response and attitude regardless of how you were approached. Walk away if necessary.
• When is it ok to draw a firm line and begin to vocalize what you feel strongly about in a slightly more than “calm” manor? When do you separate the people with fortitude and stick-to-itiveness from the bullies and authoritarians of the world? I have always been of the opinion, “ye who looses their cool first looses”. Unfortunately, that’s not true in the real world. Bullies exist, power hungry people with self interest “do” prevail and they many times are the one seemingly getting ahead. I am currently in a very “interesting” career situation. I have witnessed many things in my current position. Numerous errors in judgment, multi-level mistake making and significant levels of poor decision making. I have remained calm, collected, and bit my tongue in an effort to “do the right thing”. I have tried diligently not to complain and have remained loyal, hard working and committed. Had I shouted from the rooftops what is wrong with this situation I may be in a better set of circumstances today, I don’t know. I refuse to lower myself to hurting the company I work for as many of those around me have and yet I struggle with my silence. Almost as if I am somehow damaging the very company I am trying to support and protect.
2) Remember, people always come first, especially if your situation is about an employee, friend or co-worker. You need to keep in mind that you are looking for the win/win - even if it means you don't get your way.
• Is there a time when people don’t come first? This is not a complaint, it is a dose of reality for everyone. I’ll guarantee you; the “people” who are going to come first for many companies in the next 18 months are going to be the shareholders vs. the employees. In the coming months this country, and potentially the world, is going to see unemployment rise. Very good people, highly intelligent, driven, passionate, and committed people, are going to be asked to leave the companies for which they work. At the end of the day, people don’t matter that much unless they are productive, useful, or necessary to the operation. The nugget for people to take away from this statement is, always make sure you are one of the people contributing. Don’t follow direction from people if it places you in a less valuable position or makes you more expendable. Work hard to be the person in the room who contributes the most and has the highest value. How do you reconcile the fact that money is more important than people, almost every time?
3) Try additional approaches to the situation - ask questions, offer some other ideas or options, continue the discussion if needed. Do not delay a decision though if it is detrimental to a person (as identified in #2)
4) Seek guidance from a co-worker who may have insight on ways to handle the situation.
5) DO NOT TALK ABOUT THE SITUATION in a negative way with other people. This only hurts you and it is unprofessional.
• For every complaint a person has, they should have a suggested solution.
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