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# A02
Creating A Winning Atmosphere At Work (Audio CD- $34.95)
This program starts with the question “How
many of you would like to come to work and have the same work
environment as on a championship sports team?” and everyone
answers in the affirmative. Then I ask “How many of you
have that?” and what I get is a lot of chuckles because
nobody does. It’s a rather crazy way we live our lives.
Everyone wants a winning atmosphere at work but mostly nobody
has it.
There is a reason. I’m
sure you’ve heard the terms codependent and dysfunctional
family. What’s missed in that discussion is that we have
all grown up in dysfunctional families, we have a dysfunctional
world. We were brought up with criticism, punishment and a lack
of respect. The consequence of that is we learn to question our
worth and value.
So we go to work, wanting some
acknowledgement, appreciation, and respect but because everyone
else is looking for the same thing, people don’t give it
to each other. And that’s the problem.
But as a leader or manager, you
can change that. People will treat others the way they are treated.
If you treat them with disrespect, they will get even. But if
you treat them well, they can and will shine. So what does treating
them well look like. The rest of this program describes that in
great detail. The highlights are as follows:
1. Get really interested in the
people you work with. People are interested in themselves and
what they want is for you to be interested in them. Dale Carnegie
says we have mastered the art of being interesting. Now, can we
master the art of being interested. Our job as managers is to
seriously get genuinely interested in all of the people we work
with.
2. Look for the gold in people.
Yes you can find things to criticize people about but you can
also find the goodness in people. Your success as a leader and
manager really depends on your willingness to look for the later.
3. Be about service. As an employer,
your attitude should be that you work for people not that they
work for you.
4. Don’t take things personally.
When people get upset, they always think they know why but they
never do. Upsets are mostly irrational so don’t take them
personally.
5. Instead, listen with compassion. That means to listen with
a deep appreciation of the other person’s feelings and experience.
6. Just get their communication.
Don’t react, don’t justify your behavior and don’t
defend yourself. People just want to be heard and you can do this.
7. Don’t make up bad stuff
about people because then that’s who they become for you.
Instead, recognize that people are always doing the best they
know how with the tools they have available to them.
8. When people are upset and
complain, it is usually because they are committed to something
and it’s not happening. So instead of making them wrong,
listen for their commitment.
9. When it’s your turn
to speak, be responsible. Don’t accuse. Speak about the
way it is for you. Stay on your side.
10. Learn to acknowledge people,
not just for what they do but for who they are.
11. Express appreciation by thanking
people for everything they do.
12. Practice forgiveness.
Forgiveness is a gift you give to yourself so that you don’t
walk around carrying a bunch of disappointments and upsets.
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