Rudeness isn't illegal, but can any business
or person afford it? The idea of grinning and bearing it
may not be the best answer. In fact, it probably never was.
A new study shows rude employees cost companies millions
of dollars in lost productivity. Unfortunately some of the
biggest offenders are managers. What should an employee
do when he or she thinks the boss isn't civil? Here is what
the study says they do:
* 53% said they lost hours of productive time sweating about
what would happen next.
* 46% considered changing jobs.
* 37% say they feel less committed to the company.
* 22% deliberately got even by cutting back effort.
Keeping your mouth shut and taking it,
seems the easy way out. But, for positive results why don't
you try these few suggestions:
* Repeat what was just said. For example, say. Let me see
if I understand you correctly. Did you mean to say such
and such or was I hearing things? Some time people do not
realize they have come across rudely until they hear what
they actually said.
* Give people the benefit of the doubt. If they aren't usually
rude, assume they are having a bad day. Consider taking
some time to cool off, before discussing the incident.
* Start with a smile, then steer the discussion towards
solutions so you can work together for positive results.
If you haven't read the "7
Habits of Highly Effective People", you should at least
read the paradigm shift that affected Stephen Covey, when
he was writing the book. He writes that he was riding a
train to his office when a man and a couple of screaming
kids entered the car he was sitting in. All the people in
the train were commuters who were either dozing, reading
a paper or working. On arrival the father of the kids sat
down and buried his head in his chest completely oblivious
to what his kids were doing. They were annoying every one
in the car. Then a perturbed Covey said to the father. "Can't
you see what your kids are doing to everyone on this train.
They are jumping around, fighting and annoying all the other
passengers." The father lifted his head and come out
of his silent stupor and said, "I don't know what to
do, you see their mother died this morning." All of
a sudden Covey's attitude took a great shift and instead
of him being perturbed with the family he felt compassion
and he began asking, if there was anything he could do to
make the situation better. Each of us has had an instance
like this, but isn't it amazing how quickly one can shift
an attitude. If we were always aware it wouldn't even need
shifting. As we all move along the pathway of life, we recognize
more clearly Newton's Law of Physics, for every action there
is an equal and opposite reaction, which applies in our
everyday life. Positive behavior and action get positive
results. Negative behavior and actions get negative results.
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