Dignity and Respect Still A Job Requirement
Several years ago, I decided to go back to work and ventured into Human Resources after several run-ins with poor Human Resources professionals or poor candidate/employee experiences. As a person who loves policy, has a strong sense of urgency and follow up and who genuinely cares for people and their best interest, I felt Human Resources was a great fit for me.
Re-entering the workforce after successfully running your own business presents its own set of challenges but within the right infrastructure, it is truly a corporate asset.
Entrepreneurs tend to think outside the box and present creative solutions to problems or barriers. This is only valued when you join a team that is open to new ideas, talents and resources. If your teammates have been employed for years and are process driven or stagnant in their own career growth, your energy will be met with resistance. This constant battle is mentally exhausting and will eventually take a toll.
Entrepreneurs tend to exercise frugality in their corporate spending which can be a wonderful workplace attribute. Being resourceful and efficient with spending definitely impacts the bottom line. Exercising care in supply, catering and travel costs demonstrates fiscal knowledge and governance.
Entrepreneurs manage their day like they used to run their business. They tend to goal set and prioritize and are masters at time management and self governance. Self direction and focus are paramount when joining a new team as no one has the time to sit with you 8 hours a day and spoon feed you tasks.
Entrepreneurs are masters at not only building relationships but maintaining them. Even in the most challenging workplace settings, people who have the gift of gab or charisma will easily indulge in meaningful conversations with customers, upper management and peers. They are so used to selling themselves that they are a natural with presentation. These are the employees you invite to important meetings or include in your meetings or presentations as fit.
So what happens when your workplace doesn't value all you bring to the table? What do you do when your skills, talents, education and resources are sidelined out of fear from colleagues?
Quite simply put, you stand true to who you are and what you are capable of. You have to accept that being new in an established environment presents its own set of challenges that you will have to overcome. Your ideas may be shut down immediately so you present them armed with data and facts. You present ways to be more efficient and show your colleagues how your way will actually save time and money. You continue to carry yourself as confident and professional in all things and if you're lucky, you will rub off on them.
Common courtesy, respect and manners sadly seem to be fading from the workplace. Everyone was new on the job at one point and should remember this when new team members join the organization. Just because something "has always been done one way" doesn't mean that is the best way. Just because one person "has always taken care of this", doesn't mean that is the best employee to manage this task. And just because someone has "manager" in their title, doesn't mean they are equipped to effectively manage others day to day.
Workplace etiquette goes far beyond please and thank you. It should extend to valuing every person in the workplace and treating them with dignity and respect at all times regardless of titles, background and experience. How you act at work is usually a reflection of how you act in the world. Make sure that you aren't creating a poor environment for others because of your poor environment elsewhere.
Re-entering the workforce after successfully running your own business presents its own set of challenges but within the right infrastructure, it is truly a corporate asset.
Entrepreneurs tend to think outside the box and present creative solutions to problems or barriers. This is only valued when you join a team that is open to new ideas, talents and resources. If your teammates have been employed for years and are process driven or stagnant in their own career growth, your energy will be met with resistance. This constant battle is mentally exhausting and will eventually take a toll.
Entrepreneurs tend to exercise frugality in their corporate spending which can be a wonderful workplace attribute. Being resourceful and efficient with spending definitely impacts the bottom line. Exercising care in supply, catering and travel costs demonstrates fiscal knowledge and governance.
Entrepreneurs manage their day like they used to run their business. They tend to goal set and prioritize and are masters at time management and self governance. Self direction and focus are paramount when joining a new team as no one has the time to sit with you 8 hours a day and spoon feed you tasks.
Entrepreneurs are masters at not only building relationships but maintaining them. Even in the most challenging workplace settings, people who have the gift of gab or charisma will easily indulge in meaningful conversations with customers, upper management and peers. They are so used to selling themselves that they are a natural with presentation. These are the employees you invite to important meetings or include in your meetings or presentations as fit.
So what happens when your workplace doesn't value all you bring to the table? What do you do when your skills, talents, education and resources are sidelined out of fear from colleagues?
Quite simply put, you stand true to who you are and what you are capable of. You have to accept that being new in an established environment presents its own set of challenges that you will have to overcome. Your ideas may be shut down immediately so you present them armed with data and facts. You present ways to be more efficient and show your colleagues how your way will actually save time and money. You continue to carry yourself as confident and professional in all things and if you're lucky, you will rub off on them.
Common courtesy, respect and manners sadly seem to be fading from the workplace. Everyone was new on the job at one point and should remember this when new team members join the organization. Just because something "has always been done one way" doesn't mean that is the best way. Just because one person "has always taken care of this", doesn't mean that is the best employee to manage this task. And just because someone has "manager" in their title, doesn't mean they are equipped to effectively manage others day to day.
Workplace etiquette goes far beyond please and thank you. It should extend to valuing every person in the workplace and treating them with dignity and respect at all times regardless of titles, background and experience. How you act at work is usually a reflection of how you act in the world. Make sure that you aren't creating a poor environment for others because of your poor environment elsewhere.
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