How did you handle the pressure of knowing hundreds of people would judge your work every day?
You always want to do and look your best. Most people do but we all know sh&% happens.
The larger portion of folks you work for understand this, and you will most likely never hear from them. The next largest portion of people understand, but voice their views through the policies and politics of your business. This is the correct way, and things get communicated and worked out well with understanding from all parties. Then there is the very-very small portion of people who want to come straight to you and talk to you directly about their concerns. How are you going to handle these situations?
In my six years of college, I don’t believe there were ever any class on personalities. I know, “Here he goes again about D.I.S.C. Personalities…” Please study this when you have time. I will say here again that this stuff should be taught in middle school. So, when the specific personality type comes directly to you and curses because of something you did or didn’t do, how are you going to “Manage” this type of communication.
You will always be JUDGED on your work.
Learn ahead of time what “Communication” skill you are going to apply in all these situations, and know that as much as “Sh&% will happen”, so will judgement of your work. Plan ahead on how you will communicate with these folks. It is not just the cursers in the world that will come directly to you, the “S” personalities will come to you and be as nice as possible but still have a message of disappointment in you or what you are doing.
The “C” personalities will have the facts ahead of time and hit you with the reasons that you made mistakes. The “I” folks will want to possibly have a laugh with you over something. When these moments happen, be ready to respond correctly and to the point. Know the politics of your position also.
Who is the immediate person to direct these folks to after you have the first conversation?
Never get emotional in any way. Be the professional that you were hired to be and then use what you have learned to do in these situations of communication and understanding. Use the “Platinum Rule”.
The Platinum Rule [Click Here]
-Mark S. Merrick, CGCS Retired
Introducing ‘Merrick Mondays’, a segment where we hear from Mark Merrick, our resident brand Ambassador, Chief ‘Cool” Officer, and general source of wisdom and secrets of the universe, to spotlight a dose of interview-style content, weekly.