© 2011 WorkExcel.com

Tips to Boost Productivity Tips to Boost Productivity and Morale and Morale

Dignify Differences in People

Tip

3

Respect All Co-workers

• It’s easy to respect co-workers who share your background, ethnicity and attitudes.

• The challenge comes when you work with people who are not like you—at least on the surface.

• You may allow your biases to interfere and draw certain conclusions as a result.

4

Tolerance

• Tolerance is the cornerstone of a respectful workplace.

• Colleagues accept differences in each other rather than fear them.

• They look past skin color, religion and other factors in an effort to know the actual person.

5

First Impressions

• Some people fail to overcome their negative first impressions of others.

• These initial judgments, often based on one’s prejudices or preconceived notions, can cloud our ability to treat everyone with dignity, fairness and open-mindedness.

6

Building Bonds

• Listen for understanding,

not agreement.

• Look past differences – focus on understanding views and perspectives.

• Appreciate how others see the world.

• Avoid tuning out if someone makes a comment that you deem incorrect – probe to learn why the speaker thinks that way.

7

Avoid Labels

• Monitor your speech patterns and thinking style to check whether you label people.

• Beware of adopting the “Jess is an X and all Xs are like that” mentality.

• Seemingly harmless labeling can degenerate

into dismissive and derogatory remarks.

8

Tip

• If you disagree with someone’s views, react with curiosity rather than defensiveness.

• Ask at least one earnest, non-threatening question to dig for more information.

• Be willing to change your mind if the facts warrant it.

9

It’s True

• We tend to perceive people through constructs (tall-short, slim-pudgy, etc.).

• Constructs can subconsciously trigger unfair impressions such as “lazy” and “sloppy.”

• Withhold judgment and you’ll expand your frame of reference.

10

True or False?

• If you hear a joke that could be hurtful to others, you should speak up.

• TRUE– It’s your responsibility to

reject offensive jokes. – If you don’t voice your

objection right away, your silence implies consent.

– Permitting cruel jokes—even once—breeds a less tolerant, more divisive workplace.

11

Thank you!

“CLICK” for

Nine More Chapters Here