Three Golden Rules for the Workplace

Navigating professional environments can be very daunting, especially in response to various movements demanding greater scrutiny and accountability for certain behaviors, and remote work increasing. For instance, expression of feelings has become more common place in all social interactions, including work situations. Similarly, the greater attention to microaggressions and implicit biases has changed how people interact with each other. Despite these changes, there are certain employment expectations that foster healthy inclusive work environments regardless of where the job is performed. The following are three golden rules that promote such an environment.  

1. Professionalism: Professionalism is defined in Miriam Webster as “the competence or skill expected of a professional” and “the practicing of an activity, especially a sport, by a professional rather than amateur players.”  At work, professionalism is a combination of soft skills.  For instance, it is competency, accountability, integrity, honesty, and reliability to name a few. More specifically, competency is not only one’s ability to do something effectively, but it also includes one’s ability to recognize your own and other’s expectations, finding solutions, the ability to express your limitations and asking for help from others. Accountability is also a component of professionalism in that you build respect when you can acknowledge your own mistakes and remain honest to your word. All of this is about remaining honest and integral to yourself and the job you have agreed to perform and the tasks you are asked to complete. 
   
   
2. Active Listening: Active listening is remaining mindful when communicating with others. This includes hearing, understanding, and retaining the information shared by a speaker. Although in most interactions we are all attempting to have a response for what is being said, active listening is the opposite; you listen to hear what is said, why it is being said, and how it is being said. Actively listening to others minimizes misunderstandings, increases collaboration and negotiation. This is especially important when more employees are working remotely, and meetings are held via video and/or tele conferencing. To decrease miscommunications, it is essential to actively listen to others and not assume what the person is saying or listen only to ready your response once they stop. A speaker may know that you are actively listening to them when you show appropriate eye contact, you do not interrupt, and you provide insightful feedback. 
   
   
3. Emotional Intelligence: Emotional intelligence is one of the newer expectations in a professional environment as more people place greater value in the expression and validation of feelings. While all feelings are authentic and valid, feelings are based on perceptions, thoughts, and beliefs that might not be true. Thus, traversing an environment where feelings are given more value, it is important to exercise emotional intelligence and listen actively (discussed above). Emotional intelligence was first introduced in 1990 by Peter Salovey and John D. Mayer as a person’s ability to identify and mange one’s own emotions as well as the recognition of other people’s emotions. It also includes the ability to regulate one’s emotions and the ability to understand how one’s emotions affects others. Emotional intelligence requires great self-awareness and empathy, which is not always easy, but arguably necessary as group dynamics change.  

These skills, like other skills, take practice. However, for the development of these soft skills personal accountability and introspection are vital for cultivating personal growth and evolution. While these are independently developed, communal development in a work setting encourages communication, teamwork, enthusiasm, productivity, and problem-solving. As generational changes continue to emerge, the skills listed in this blog promote healthier, happier, productive, and successful environments. Additionally, when you hold yourself honest and integral to these skills you will effectuate your job successfully whether you are working in the office, at home, or wherever else you choose to complete your job. It is also important to remember that these skills apply to all working individuals regardless of level of expertise, industry, position, or profession.