Mastering Professional Behavior in the Workplace

1. Section 10.2 Acting Like a Professional Back to Table of Contents

2. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN • How to react professionally to workplace pressures, criticism, and gossip • Methods used to control anger on the job

3. WHY IT’S IMPORTANT To succeed in the workplace, you must be able to handle difficult situations in a professional manner.

4. KEY TERMS • professionalism • constructive criticism • defensiveness • gossip

5. Acting Like a Professional Professionalism means acting maturely and appropriately on the job. Instead of reacting prematurely, think things through before taking action.

6. Accepting Criticism Being able to handle criticism properly is vital to your success in any job.

7. What Makes Criticism Constructive? Constructive criticism is criticism presented in a way that helps you learn and grow.

8. What Makes Criticism Constructive? Constructive criticism is often presented during performance reviews or evaluations. It may also come up in casual conversations or during daily work activities.

9. What Makes Criticism Constructive? Many supervisors try to offset constructive criticism by offering positive comments. Many supervisors offer positive comments before criticism.

10. What Makes Criticism Constructive? If your supervisor is abrupt when making suggestions, remind yourself to focus on using the advice to grow professionally.

11. What Makes Criticism Constructive? Criticism is easier to handle when you see it as helpful. Some employees actually welcome criticism, because it teaches them better ways to succeed at their jobs.

12. Responding to Criticism Defensiveness means guarding yourself emotionally by closing yourself off to negative opinions.

13. Responding to Criticism When you are defensive, you are closed. When you’re closed, you can’t listen. When you can’t listen, you can’t grow.

14. Responding to Criticism Try to be receptive, not defensive.

15. Responding to Criticism Here are four steps to help you respond effectively to criticism: • Listen closely to the criticism. • Make sure you understand the criticism. If you don’t, ask. continued

16. Responding to Criticism • Identify a solution to the problem that led to the criticism. • Take action to remedy the problem. If the problem is complex, break it down into smaller parts.

17. Responding to Criticism Even if the rest of the world thinks you’ve made a mistake, you may know inside that you did the right thing. This is especially true when you stand up for your values.

18. Handling Pressure To handle pressure, use these tips: • Break large tasks into smaller ones. • Ask for help if you are overwhelmed. • Use a daily “to do” list. • Prioritize your duties. • If you have two supervisors, make sure your priorities are clear.

19. Handling Gossip Gossip is idle talk that usually consists of rumors. Gossip is often untrue and hurtful.

20. Handling Gossip Gossip hurts the gossiper most. The more an employee gossips, the less coworkers will trust that person.

21. Handling Gossip Before you join in gossip, ask yourself: • What is my motivation for gossiping? • Could my comments unfairly damage someone else’s reputation?

22. Controlling Anger If you get frustrated and angry, follow these tips: • Count to ten. • Consider what you are really angry about. • Channel your energy into solving the problem.

23. Controlling Anger To solve a problem, follow these steps: • Define the problem. • Decide on possible solutions. • Evaluate possible solutions. • Make a decision. • Take action.

24. CAREER CHECKLIST Developing a Positive Work Attitude… Accept challenges as opportunities. Learn to analyze a situation from all angles, even if some of those viewpoints differ from your own. Always show respect and consideration for other employees, even if you disagree. continued

25. CAREER CHECKLIST Developing a Positive Work Attitude… Take responsibility for your actions. Never take on more responsibility than you can handle if you cannot get the job done properly. Avoid negative talk about work, both in and out of the workplace. Your positive attitude will be infectious.

26. Graphic Organizer 10.2 Dealing With Criticism Be open to improving yourself. Admit the mistake or problem to yourself. Find a way to improve. Take step-by-step action. Chapter 10 • Developing a Positive Attitude Succeeding in the World of Work

27. SECTION 10.2 REVIEW Key Concept Checkpoint Comprehension Sean’s supervisor wants to speak to him about some problems with the project he just completed. Sean feels that he worked hard on the project and did an excellent job. continued

28. SECTION 10.2 REVIEW Key Concept Checkpoint Comprehension What should Sean do when he meets with his supervisor? continued

29. SECTION 10.2 REVIEW Key Concept Checkpoint Comprehension Jake is overwhelmed by the amount of work he must complete every day. What is one step Jake can take to reduce the pressure he feels? continued

30. SECTION 10.2 REVIEW Key Concept Checkpoint Comprehension What is the difference between sharing helpful information with your coworkers and gossiping? continued

31. SECTION 10.2 REVIEW Key Concept Checkpoint Comprehension List three tips for controlling anger on the job. continued

32. SECTION 10.2 REVIEW Key Concept Checkpoint Critical Thinking Have you always acted with professionalism in the past? What can you do to ensure that you act professionally in the future?

33. End of Section 10.2 Acting Like a Professional Back to Table of Contents