Harmony in the Workplace Participant Guide.5.27.15

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Participant Guide

You

Organizations

Teams

Name: __________________________


A Harmonious Workplace

Basic Definition:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3 Main Areas: Workplace Environment Managerial Factors Employee Factors

List potential consequences of a negative workplace:

EmployeeFactors______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Management Factors______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Workplace Environment______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

HA!!

. .


Benefits of a Harmonious Work Environment

Increased productivity Teamwork mentality Reduced absenteeism Higher employee morale

and job satisfaction

Increased openness to learn new skills

Employee retention Positive return on

investment

When employees feel an organization is interested in their overall well-being, they are more motivated, productive and have stronger feelings of

loyalty to the organization.

In a safe environment, employees will only have to focus on giving their best.

Key Managerial Strategies

Proactive, Transparent Communication Role Modeling - Be the Example Team Building Problem and Conflict Resolution

List the benefits of:

Proactive Communication:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Role Modeling Desired Behavior:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Promoting Individual Professional Development:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Team Building:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What Questions Do Great Managers Ask?1. _______________________________________________2. _______________________________________________3. _______________________________________________4. _______________________________________________5. _______________________________________________

List the benefits of (continued):


Managers in the workplace have a unique role to play with multiple and continuously evolving responsibilities:

• Transparent Communication• Role Modeling desired behavior• Team Building• Problem and Conflict Resolution

Build trust with employees by consistently “walking the talk.” You will gain credibility when your actions are aligned with the values

and expectations you communicate.

Skills Employers Want

Effectivelistening, oral

communication skills

Excellent customer service

Time management

Basic Skills: Reading, Writing, Computation

Job-specific technical skills

Team players

Personal management skills

Ability to learn new skills

Efficiency


8 Qualities Employers Seek

1. ____________________2. ____________________3. ____________________4. ____________________

5. ____________________6. ____________________7. ____________________8. ____________________

Regarding the following, name three (3) things YOU can do to improve interactions at work -

With Your Supervisor:1. ________________________2. ________________________3. ________________________

With Your Teammates:1. ________________________2. ________________________3. ________________________

With Other Employees:1. ________________________2. ________________________3. ________________________


Problem and Conflict Resolution

Two Things to Remember:

1. Problems and conflict happen ALL THE TIME.2. They are opportunities to learn, improve relationships and the

organization.

5 Conflict Resolution Styles

1. Competing___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Accommodating___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Avoiding___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Compromising___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Collaborating___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Goal: Develop the ability to utilize a variety of situations using different conflict resolution approaches

Remain CalmSeek First to Understand

Complement different approaches based on

situation

Be Proactive Identify the ProblemUse Effective

Communication, Listening Skills

Commit to Resolving Issue

Resolve Effectively Be Aware of Timing

Problem and Conflict Resolution Strategies

Conflict should be seen as an chance for growth. Conflicts provide opportunities to better appreciate other perspectives,

clarify interests, strengthen bonds and discover different approaches in addressing work issues.

Conflict Resolution

Which Style(s) Do You Use the Most?1. ___________________________________2. ___________________________________3. ___________________________________


Multi-Generational Considerations

Generation Definition:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

AVOID MAKING JUDGMENTS BASED ON ASSUMED COHORT STEREOTYPES OR STYLE DIFFERENCES

Traditionalists(Born before 1945)

Baby Boomers (Born between

1946-1964)

Nexters(Born after 2000)

Millennials (Born between

1981-2000)

Gen X (Born between

1965-1980)

Key Multi-Generational Strategies:

1. _______________________________________________2. _______________________________________________3. _______________________________________________


Challenges:• Difficulty with ambiguity

and change• Reluctant to challenge

management• Uncomfortable with conflict• May not speak up if they

disagree with others• Work-life balance not

significant

Strengths:• Stable• Loyal• Duty before pleasure• Ambition is important• Respects authority• Responds well to direct

leadership

environment

Traditionalists(Born before 1945)

Baby Boomers (Born between

1946-1964)

Gen X (Born between

1965-1980)

Millennials (Born between

1981-2000)

Nexters(Born after 2000)

Strengths:• Driven• Service-oriented• Value supportive

supervisors• Good team players• Value job security, benefits• Value continued learning• Concerned about the

work environment

Challenges:• Ambition is not significant• Disapproves absolutes,

structure• Not concerned with budgets• Reluctant to go against peers• Judgmental of those with

different perspectives• Uncomfortable with conflict

Challenges:• Impatient• Limited “people” skills• Cynical• Limited team interaction skills• May challenge management

inappropriately

Strengths:• Adaptable• Techno-literate• Independent• Not intimidated by authority• Informal• Thinks globally• Thrives when given a lot to do

and the freedom to do it

Strengths:• Work collectively• Optimistic• Tenacious• Heroic in spirit• Multi-tasking• Technologically savvy

Challenges:• Needs supervision,

structure• Limited “people” skills• Inexperience dealing

with difficult people• Technologically

dependent• Motivated by instant

gratification

Strengths:• Confident• Not afraid to ask questions• Ambition is significant• Personal well-being is

important• Motivated by the “Big

Picture”• Talent, results drive success

Challenges:• Needs praise on specific

accomplishments• Organizational commitment

only if in tangent with mission, compensation

• Dependent on technology• Focused on meeting individual,

social needs through work


Generational contexts create many different views of the world and how work is perceived and performed. Many employees hold on to antiquated approaches

that can negatively impact building positive workforce relationships.

The knowledge of differing generational perspectives enables a more encompassing means of addressing workplace conflicts and promotes the use of

each groups’ strengths to meet organizational goals.

Stress Management

Signs YOU are Experiencing Too Much Stress

1. ________________________________________________2. ________________________________________________3. ________________________________________________4. ________________________________________________

What YOU Can Do to Minimize Stress

1. ________________________________________________2. ________________________________________________3. ________________________________________________4. ________________________________________________

While some workplace stress is normal, excessive stress can interfere with your productivity and impact your physical and emotional health.

Finding ways to manage workplace stress is about focusing on the one thing that’s always within your control: YOU.


Time Management

Things that can Negatively Impact Time Management: 1. ________________________________________________2. ________________________________________________3. ________________________________________________4. ________________________________________________

Things YOU can do to Improve Your Time Management: 1. ________________________________________________2. ________________________________________________3. ________________________________________________4. ________________________________________________

While you are in the office, you are part of a diverse group, with different backgrounds, values and duties,

occupying the same workspace.

A congenial, harmonious atmosphere can improve productivity and make the workplace a more enjoyable place to be.

REMEMBER:It is impossible to get everything done.

Any activity or conversation that is important to your success should have a time assigned to it.


ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Workplace EnvironmentsAmericans Still Lack Trust In Company Management Post-Recession Liz Drazenhttp://www.maritz.com/Press-Releases/2011/Americans-Still-Lack-Trust-In-Company-Management-Post-Recession.aspx

Managerial FactorsEffective Managers Earn Trust Quickly By Doing 5 Things Well Forbes.comhttp://www.forbes.com/sites/glennllopis/2012/07/10/effective-managers-earn-trust-quickly-by-doing-5-things-well/

Team BuildingHow to Improve Teamwork in the Workplace Stephanie Watsonhttp://money.howstuffworks.com/business/starting-a-job/how-to-improve-teamwork-in-workplace4.htm

Employee FactorsWorkplace Basics: The Skills Employers Want. Carnevale, Anthony P.; And Othershttp://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED299462

Problem and Conflict ResolutionSeven Steps for Effective Problem Solving in the Workplace Tim Hickshttp://www.mediate.com/articles/thicks.cfm

Multi-Generational ConsiderationsGeneration Diversity in the Workplace Hype Won’t Get You Results Jamie No1313tterhttp://www.yourmembership.com/solutions/ym-whitepaper-generationaldiversity.pdf

How to Work for a Younger Boss (NBC Today Show video)http://www.today.com/video/today/38445827#38445827

Stress ManagementCoping with stress: Workplace tips Mayo Clinic Staffhttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/coping-with-stress/SR00030/NSECTIONGROUP=2

Time Management10 Time Management Tips That Work Joe Mathews, Don Debo and Deb Percivalhttp://www.entrepreneur.com/article/219553

Time Management Beat Work Overload. Be More Effective. Achieve More (Time Management Quiz).MindTools.com http://www.mindtools.com/pages/main/newMN_HTE.htm

http://www.maritz.com/Press-Releases/2011/Americans-Still-Lack-Trust-In-Company-Management-Post-Recession.aspx

http://www.forbes.com/sites/glennllopis/2012/07/10/effective-managers-earn-trust-quickly-by-doing-5-things-well/

http://money.howstuffworks.com/business/starting-a-job/how-to-improve-teamwork-in-workplace4.htm

http://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED299462

http://www.mediate.com/articles/thicks.cfm

http://www.yourmembership.com/solutions/ym-whitepaper-generationaldiversity.pdf

http://www.today.com/video/today/38445827#38445827

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/coping-with-stress/SR00030/NSECTIONGROUP=2

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/219553

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/main/newMN_HTE.htm


NOTES

Documents

Harmony in the Workplace Participant Guide.5.27.15