| Most jobs require teamwork. Every single | | | | -What alternatives are there to this? |
| employee plays his or her part in getting an | | | | -Why do you prefer this? |
| overall job done. Whether or not he or she feels | | | | It never hurts to listen to what an employee or |
| or is treated as such, this is the truth. Because | | | | employer is thinking. This can help you better |
| jobs require interaction and communication on a | | | | understand and relate to him or her in the future. |
| daily or weekly basis, it is good to learn a few | | | | Dealing with Bad News |
| fundamental social skills that can improve your | | | | We have all heard the phrase "Don't kill the |
| work ethic and environment. This article may be | | | | messenger". Many employers have problems |
| able to help you, fellow coworkers, and even your | | | | hearing bad news and feel they should associate |
| employer in strengthening relationships and | | | | the bad news with the person telling him or her. |
| working as a cohesive unit. | | | | Just as in accepting feedback, remember to focus |
| Accepting Feedback | | | | on only the issue. When employers or employees |
| People know how to tell someone how to be. | | | | hear bad news and do not direct their focus on |
| Many people do not know how to hear something | | | | the issue, they can risk destroying or damaging a |
| about themselves from somebody else. If you | | | | relationship. |
| are one of these people, ask yourself, "What is it | | | | Boundaries |
| that I do not like about hearing this?" You may | | | | "If you have nothing nice to say, don't say |
| find that you have a problem with the person | | | | anything at all". We can actually adopt this |
| themselves or have a personal insecurity that you | | | | childhood phrase and adapt it to life at work. If |
| may have problems confronting. Remember not | | | | you know that what you are about to say will |
| to take it personal but instead take a step back | | | | offend or create discomfort in the workplace, |
| and think about the issue. | | | | then refrain from making the comment. Also, if |
| Constructive Communication and Criticism | | | | someone is uncomfortable with speaking about a |
| Before asking something of someone, ask | | | | certain subject, refrain from speaking about the |
| yourself, "is this how I would like to be | | | | subject altogether. Those who do not refrain |
| approached?" Remember to stay calm and be | | | | making such comments can risk being charged |
| polite. People are more responsive when they do | | | | with harassment. |
| not feel threatened and instead feel treated as an | | | | If you would like more information on improving |
| equal. Do not be overly critical, and when you | | | | social skills in the workplace or help with a |
| must be critical, ignore abstract and unnecessary | | | | work-related legal matter, contact the Houston |
| criticisms when speaking. Instead, ask him or her: | | | | employment lawyers of the Ross Law Group. |
| -How do you think this can be better? | | | | |