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Are Your Co-Workers Less-Than-Perfect?
Everyone has a role model. It might be one of your parents, a celebrity, a historical figure or a fictional character, such as Superman, who embodies the ideals you value. Looking up to someone is especially important on the job. In the workplace, a role model or mentor can help you learn the ropes at a new company, enhance your skill set or make smart career moves.
Sometimes, however, you may be able to learn from those you don't particularly admire. Individuals who stand out because of their poor habits or attitudes can serve as warning for the types of workplace behavior to avoid.
The following are some "reverse role models" you might find in your office and what you can learn from them:
The Unaccommodating Associate
The Unaccommodating Associate does his or her job and nothing else. This person is always too busy to offer assistance to a colleague who's been staying late for weeks and never volunteers to take on an additional assignment because, as he or she says, "It's not my job."
While you should focus your energy on successfully completing your required tasks, it's a good idea to go beyond your job description from time to time. Helping a colleague in need builds goodwill with your fellow workers and increases the likelihood that someone will throw you a lifeline when you're drowning in work. In addition, by volunteering for projects that fall outside your job description, you'll gain skills and experience that can increase your marketability and value to the organization.
The Solo Artist
Staff birthdays, service anniversaries and the completion of major projects are excuses to celebrate in your department, and team members never hesitate to arrange lunches or fun, informal events to mark these occasions. But no matter when or where the party is held or for how long, there is always one person who never shows up.
Rather than follow the Solo Artist's lead, embrace opportunities to interact with your co-workers outside the cubicle walls. While it's perfectly acceptable to bow out of the occasional function, colleagues shouldn't be surprised when you do show up. Team-building events provide you with opportunities to meet individuals you may work with only on occasion and offer valuable face time with senior managers and executives.
You'll also be able to get to know your colleagues better, which can lead to improved communication and collaboration. In fact, forming strong bonds with co-workers is becoming an increasingly important career survival skill. In a survey commissioned by Robert Half International, 91 percent of executives polled said employees will work more frequently on project teams in the next 10 to 15 years, meaning it's smart to learn about your colleagues' personalities now.
The Know-It-All
Nearly every office has someone who thinks he or she is an expert on everything from proper phone etiquette to the company's decision to expand operations into Asia. While a strong belief in your ability to perform well on the job is necessary to take smart risks and get ahead, a little confidence can go a long way. An inflated ego, on the other hand, can easily alienate your co-workers.
Remember that even if you have held your position for many years, you can still benefit from soliciting advice and expertise from others, rather than assuming you have all the answers. It's also a good idea to tune in to key sources of information on trends and technologies impacting your business, such as trade publications and professional associations. Unlike the Know-It-All, never assume that your opinions are the only ones that matter.
Under no circumstance do you want to emulate your reverse role models' actions. But you do want to pay close attention to their behavior. As much as they may frustrate you, these individuals can teach you a thing or two about proper workplace behavior and prevent you from picking up any habits that could sabotage your career.
Robert Half International Inc. is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 330 offices throughout North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com.
Sometimes, however, you may be able to learn from those you don't particularly admire. Individuals who stand out because of their poor habits or attitudes can serve as warning for the types of workplace behavior to avoid.
The following are some "reverse role models" you might find in your office and what you can learn from them:
The Unaccommodating Associate
The Unaccommodating Associate does his or her job and nothing else. This person is always too busy to offer assistance to a colleague who's been staying late for weeks and never volunteers to take on an additional assignment because, as he or she says, "It's not my job."
While you should focus your energy on successfully completing your required tasks, it's a good idea to go beyond your job description from time to time. Helping a colleague in need builds goodwill with your fellow workers and increases the likelihood that someone will throw you a lifeline when you're drowning in work. In addition, by volunteering for projects that fall outside your job description, you'll gain skills and experience that can increase your marketability and value to the organization.
The Solo Artist
Staff birthdays, service anniversaries and the completion of major projects are excuses to celebrate in your department, and team members never hesitate to arrange lunches or fun, informal events to mark these occasions. But no matter when or where the party is held or for how long, there is always one person who never shows up.
Rather than follow the Solo Artist's lead, embrace opportunities to interact with your co-workers outside the cubicle walls. While it's perfectly acceptable to bow out of the occasional function, colleagues shouldn't be surprised when you do show up. Team-building events provide you with opportunities to meet individuals you may work with only on occasion and offer valuable face time with senior managers and executives.
You'll also be able to get to know your colleagues better, which can lead to improved communication and collaboration. In fact, forming strong bonds with co-workers is becoming an increasingly important career survival skill. In a survey commissioned by Robert Half International, 91 percent of executives polled said employees will work more frequently on project teams in the next 10 to 15 years, meaning it's smart to learn about your colleagues' personalities now.
The Know-It-All
Nearly every office has someone who thinks he or she is an expert on everything from proper phone etiquette to the company's decision to expand operations into Asia. While a strong belief in your ability to perform well on the job is necessary to take smart risks and get ahead, a little confidence can go a long way. An inflated ego, on the other hand, can easily alienate your co-workers.
Remember that even if you have held your position for many years, you can still benefit from soliciting advice and expertise from others, rather than assuming you have all the answers. It's also a good idea to tune in to key sources of information on trends and technologies impacting your business, such as trade publications and professional associations. Unlike the Know-It-All, never assume that your opinions are the only ones that matter.
Under no circumstance do you want to emulate your reverse role models' actions. But you do want to pay close attention to their behavior. As much as they may frustrate you, these individuals can teach you a thing or two about proper workplace behavior and prevent you from picking up any habits that could sabotage your career.
Robert Half International Inc. is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 330 offices throughout North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com.
Last Updated: 24/09/2007 - 3:50 PM