Primer for Working with People

This is in honor of Labor Day and workers everywhere. Been fortunate to work with many great people.

For an introvert like me, learning to work with people was challenging. Was shy and meeting all new people. Not knowing their job titles nor responsibilities. Not sure what my responsibilities. Not knowing how the systems worked. Very stressful. This is when mentors and leads are so valuable.

Developed principles and practices that help me from boardrooms to the shop floor. You could do worse that starting work with these.

Assume People are Competent. Solve problems by getting good information from the operators, mechanics and customers. Managers often blame the operator. Find it more productive to ask what are they seeing? Is this new or an old issue? People are your eyes and ears. If they have made a mistake, it is usually because of their training, not deliberate. If it was deliberate it will come out. Start positive.

Talk about Intent. Department of Motor Vehicles is a great example. Got confused one time and said “You do this every day. What am trying to do is register my car and get a license. What do I have to do?” After all they are the experts. When they realize am cooperating instead of arguing, get great service.

Ask Questions. How else will you learn? Second people have less resistance to changing if it is they contribute concerns and ideas to a solution.

Listen and Repeat Key Points They Said. If people know you listen and care, barriers come down. Progress gets made.

“You’re Right”. The problem with politics is competition to be right. Neither side has all the right ideas. Good ideas come from everyone. Try to find the whys behind their ideas. They are often right. Cooperate, not competition solves problems.

“Yes, and …”. This is an improve idea that works well daily. The best solution is often a combination of ideas from different people. Help build solutions.  

People Want What They Want. No matter your job title, you are in Customer Service to customers and co-workers. Help people get what they need.

None of these ideas are original. Learned them from past and current co-worker sharing their knowledge. Have you got any to add?

Life’s Rules of Thumb

Growing up was taught simple shortcuts to solve issues or designs. People learned them from experience. Now they are called “Life Hacks”. Here are a few of my Rules of Thumb:

Life is Hard

Bad days will hit you. Family and Friends die. Jobs go away or we get fired. Illness strikes. Mental illness strikes loved ones, or happen to you. No one has life go right every day. We all suffer.

Life is Awkward

No one learns anything the first time. We date the wrong person. We are confronted by the unexpected. We make mistakes and bad decisions. (Parenting anyone?) This is called Experience.

Ask Questions and Ruminate

No one knows everything. Business, technology and customers change every year. Learn is ask questions and listen to answers. People will tell you surprises about their lives. Find time to think deeply about what is happening. Where are the challenges? Where are opportunities? What changes can you make?

Try Things

Knowledge is useless without Action. Try what you learn, and learn more from trying. Making mistakes and failing are learning.

“Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life.” - Sophia Loren

Faith is Necessary

We need an anchor dealing with life’s trials and difficulties. Meditation is wonderful. Meditation with prayer is better. Know God Love You.

“I do not believe because I understand. I believe so I can understand.”

Life is Worth It

Yes life is good. It is not other people recognizing you. It is when you said the right thing to someone who needs to hear it. You give a hand or encourage someone who needs one. We all need someone’s help. You discipline a kid or employee so they learn. You may not realize it until later. You did good. Keep track of what went right. Be grateful every day for something.

 "You will never know how high you can jump until you reach a failure point." - Rev. Robert Schuller

Being Heard at Work

Recently read about a young professional not being able to get a word in edgewise in a meeting. It is uncomfortable not being heard, but their experience is not unique. With 38 years’ experience, and being (formerly) shy introvert in an extroverted world have suggestions to be heard:

• Ask questions first. Then when you have the floor, make a point. Actually got compliments for participation during different meetings where I only asked one question.
• Being able to project your voice is an asset. Look into Toastmasters to be able to present to a room. I start talking to the person furthest away to get my volume right.
• I had a baby face (could pass for high school till almost 30) and had to dress one level up to be taken seriously. Casual Fridays are still a weakness.
• Attitude makes a difference. EXPECT to be heard and taken seriously. Sit at the table and take up space in the meeting room. Make small talk with people before and after the meetings.

Should add interrupting with a firm “Yo!’” has worked on occasion for me.  Recommend reading Susan Cain’s “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking”

Try and use whichever tips works for you. It is only a matter of time before you will be a full team member.