6 Things That Can Trip You At Work
By Sandy Schroeder
We all know social skills can make a huge difference on the job. We all know someone who lingers to chat when there is a deadline looming. Another person quickly steps up for praise but grows very quiet when extra work is needed.
Travis Bradberry, co-founder of TalentSmart, an agency that services many Fortune 500 companies, compared this lack of social skill to a zebra standing in a field of horses. It is hard to miss. But Bradberry assures us there are ways to skip tripping.
“Social skills and self-awareness are matters of emotional intelligence," Bradberry says. "Research at TalentSmart with over a million people, has shown emotional intelligence is responsible for 58% of job performance.”
We can all become more emotionally intelligent by reading the world around us, and adjusting our own actions to fit. Here are some negative examples to study.
What Not to Do
Here are some things to steer clear of.
Fear Makes Cowards – Negative people are quick to point the finger at someone else when anything goes wrong. Or, they bury mistakes, never choosing to admit errors and learn from the situation.
Drama Queens Abound – Some people just show up, smile and do their job. Others turn everything into a three act play! The people near them soon learn to steer around them, not getting too close. Self-control and emotional strength are valuable assets on the job. Temperamental outbursts, not so much.
Dark Forces Live – We have all known someone who can see the dark side and often spreads the gloom. Instead of remaining upbeat, and looking for the best way forward, they can’t wait to pass along the latest bad news. Given the opportunity, these people can undermine a project with a few well chosen words. Identify, avoid, and consider deleting them if you are in charge.
Too Easy Types – These people can be counted on to do everything and more. That can lead to overload and loss of productivity. Finding an individual balance and cooperating with others while maintaining an independent focus is really the way to go.
Excuses Undermine – Often, people who work hard and move ahead may have faced many challenges. But they found ways to succeed. Others simply give up, saying there is not enough opportunity. They accept no as the answer without even asking the question.
Avoid Innovation – Some people insist on maintaining the present. Anything new or different is quickly rejected. If you find yourself slipping into this groove, beware. Change is constant whether we accept it or not. Assess the whole situation. Recognize what is good, but also consider how it can be improved.
Talent and energy are crucial for job performance. So are social skills and self awareness. The more we incorporate them the better off we may be.