Self-Esteem/Attitude

Demonstrate a Positive Attitude

We should never underestimate the power of the proper attitude. Our attitude determines how successful we will be as students and as employees and how well we get along with our classmates and co-workers.

We often fail to remember that our attitude determines our altitude and that we determine our own fate by controlling our attitudes. Our attitudes become self-fulfilling prophecies. If we have a good attitude about something, we typically have good results. If, on the other hand, we have a negative attitude or feel that
something will turn out bad, it usually does.

We should start to improve our attitude toward ourselves by doing our best at everything we do. Doing our best results in pride, and pride creates self confidence. Doing our best also catches the eye of our instructor or our supervisor. Typically, we will be rewarded for being the best that we can be.  Rewards also lead to increased pride and self-confidence. It is easy to see how the domino effect of a positive attitude can lead to the reaching of our full potential, and the maximizing of our learning or working experience.

The flip side of this parable is also true. A negative attitude, or even one of indifference, will cause us not to feel so good about ourselves. Others will notice our attitude and comment on it. When our flaws are pointed out to us, it is often like pouring fuel on a fire. Our attitudes are bound to get worse and our chances
for success will diminish.

A negative attitude is often compared to the flu, because it is highly contagious and because it can get much worse if left untreated. A bad attitude, being contagious, will "rub off" on others. Have you ever noticed that when you are around a group of complainers, you too begin to feel dissatisfied? However, this works both ways: if we have a negative attitude, the moods of our classmates or co-workers may be dampened. A bad attitude will not literally make us sick, as the flu can, but it can certainly weaken our chances to succeed.

A positive attitude has been compared to electricity because of its “shocking” importance and because it, too, is not always recognized or appreciated until it is absent. A positive attitude is not always verbally rewarded; However, there's no question that having a positive attitude will increase our chances of success.

Appear Self-confident

A proper degree of self-confidence is prerequisite to a successful and rewarding career. One must always be willing to learn new skills, and to take opportunities to grow, in order to develop and maintain self-confidence.

Those who lack in self-confidence are the ones in the class, or in the workforce, who are timid and shy. These people don’t feel that they are important and do not feel worthy to make a contribution. They doubt their value; therefore, they don't take opportunities to show what they can do. These people have a low self esteem.

Those who have too much self-confidence appear conceited. These are the ones who have an inflated sense of their self-worth. They tend to believe that they are the smartest, the best looking, and the overall most able in the group. They feel that their opinion or answer is always the correct one and that everyone looks up to them and respects them. They don't really grow because they are busy "coasting" on their perceived "importance."

The people who are fortunate enough to possess and display the proper degree of self-confidence are the ones that realize that they are no better or no worse than their peers are. These people are poised and confident. They hold their head up in a crowd. They earn respect from their peers and leaders by their wise
decisions and helpfulness.

Have Realistic Expectations of Self

We all have our own set of limitations and our different capabilities. Realizing what our limits are is an important part of becoming the best that we can be.

To be successful, we should set goals for ourselves. Our goals must be challenging, but obtainable, and they should be realistic and based on our individual set of limitations and capabilities.

If we expect too little of ourselves, we will become bored and will never achieve our full potential. If we expect too much of ourselves, we will never be quite able to reach our goals, and we will become frustrated.

Setting realistic goals, and working to achieve them, helps us to continually grow
and develop.

View this video presentation on Attitude.

Attitude Question

Provide an example of a time when your attitude had a negative outcome on
your job performance? How could you have responded differently?

Respect

Legal/Ethical Issues
Much has been written and reported about legal and ethical issues in the workplace over the past several years. Sexual harassment lawsuits have plagued the news ranging from military scandals, big company settlements, political resignations, and teacher/student accusations. Many have resulted in ruined careers, large cash settlements, devastated families, and dramatic changes in laws. Likewise, the unfair treatment of a person or group of people because of who they are or what they are has resulted in the same action. What was acceptable twenty years ago may not be acceptable today.


Our workforce has changed also. There has been an increase in the number of women and minorities working. More employees have technical training or a college education. A wider range of age groups is in the workforce, too. Because of this, we now have a distinct cultural/racial diversity among our working Americans. So that we all may live and work together in harmony, we must increase our  awareness and respect for the differences we each possess (or our cultural diversity). Educators and employers alike have shifted to a
standard of NON-offensive behavior in every situation – every time! No one is immune from being measured by this standard – no one.


Important Terms to Understand
Sexist - Refers to the attitude of a person toward others of the
opposite sex.  Example:  When a man thinks that women are too emotional.
Sex Discrimination - When employment decisions are based on an
employee’s sex, or when an employee is treated differently because of his or her sex. Example: Declining to hire a woman because she might have child care problems.
Sexual Harassment - Unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature. Example: A woman telling a man that he looks hot in a new pair of jeans.
Quid Pro Quo - Means “this for that.” When employment benefits
and/or working conditions are based on an employee’s acceptance or rejection of unwelcome sexual behavior. Example: A supervisor or manager says to an employee whom he or she supervises: “I will promote you and give you a raise if you have sex with me.”
Hostile Environment - When unwelcome sexual behavior, which is
offensive, hostile, and/or intimidating, adversely affects an employee’s (or group of employees’) ability to perform his or her job. Example: Continual use of profanity and obscenities. 


Unlawful sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct that does one of the following:
• Makes granting sexual favors a condition of employment
• Retaliates against a person who refuses to grant sexual favors
• Creates a hostile, offensive, threatening, or intimidating work environment that impacts the victim’s ability to perform his or her job


Unlawful harassment includes but is not limited to:
• Verbal harassment: epithets, derogatory comments, or slurs
• Physical harassment: assault, impeding or blocking movement, or any
physical interference with normal movement when directed at an individual 
• Visual forms of harassment: posters, cartoons, or drawings that are sexual in nature
• Requests for sexual favors: unwanted sexual advances that condition an employment benefit or working condition upon an exchange for sexual favors
 

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Sexual Harassment Guidelines state:
Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:
1) Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment,
2) Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used
as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual, or
3) Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering
with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating,
hostile, or offensive working environment. 29 CFR P 1604.11(a)(2)(1993)


Some examples of conduct that may be considered hostile environment
harassment include (but are not limited to):
PHYSICAL
• Giving a neck or shoulder massage
• Touching a person’s hair, clothing or body
• Hugging, kissing, or patting
• Standing close to or brushing up against a person
• Touching or rubbing oneself sexually around another person
• Unwanted deliberate touching, leaning over, cornering, or pinching


VERBAL
• Referring to an adult as a “girl,” “hunk,” “doll,” “babe,” or “honey”
• Whistling at someone; cat calls
• Making sexual comments about a person’s body, clothes, looks, anatomy, manner of walking, etc.
• Making sexual comments or innuendoes
• Turning work discussions to sexual topics
• Telling sexual jokes or stories face to face or online such as emails etc.
• Asking about sexual fantasies, preferences, or history
• Repeatedly asking out a person who is not interested
• Making kissing sounds, howling, smacking lips
• Telling lies or spreading rumors about a person’s sex life


NON-VERBAL
• Looking a person up or down
• Staring at someone
• Blocking a person’s path or standing close
• Following a person around
• Giving personal gifts
• Displaying sexually suggestive items (calendars, photographs, comics, food displays, sexual novelty items, etc.)
• Making sexual gestures with hands or through body movements
• Making facial expressions such as winking, throwing kisses, or licking lips


HARASSMENT INCLUDES (but is not limited to):
• Unsolicited/unwelcome written, oral, physical, or visual contact with sexual, racial, or other discriminatory overtones
• Continuing to express personal interest after being informed that such interest is unwelcome, e.g., asking for dates after initial request declined, etc.
• Engaging in explicit, implicit, or inferred coercive behavior which can be used to control, influence, or affect the career, salary, or work environment of another employee
• Making actual, implied, or inferred threats or reprisal after a negative response to actions or statements
• Offering employment advantages or benefits in exchange for sexual favors
• Making any statement or comment, written or oral, to or concerning another employee which can be considered to be sexist, demeaning, derogatory, or offensive


REMEMBER:
• Conduct that may not be offensive to one person may be offensive to
another.
• Even if harassment is not intended, your actions may be perceived that way.
• Respect cultural differences. What may be complimentary in one culture could be offensive in another. Recognize the diversity that exists in the classroom or workplace.


Georgia’s technical institutes do not tolerate harassing behavior. The school grievance procedure for reporting a sexual harassment complaint may be found in your student handbook or school catalog.  If you have any questions about this policy, please refer them to your instructor.



View this video presentation on Respect.

Using 100 to 150 words, explain why respect is so important in school, work, and daily 

activities. Please provide examples from this lesson.

Teamwork

Respect the Rights of Others


It is often easy for us as individuals to get caught up in our own problems and isolate ourselves from the rest of the world. Although this tendency seems to be virtually harmless (even if a bit selfish), it can actually be detrimental to our success as students or employers. 


Each person possesses his or her own set of beliefs and values. Many of these values are a direct result of the individual’s upbringing, while others have been tainted or colored by the individual’s experiences. Because no two people have the same upbringing and experiences, no two people will have an identical set of beliefs and values. This diversity creates conflict among classmates or coworkers. This is compounded in today’s environments due to the cultural diversity that makes up our classrooms and workplaces.


In order to maximize our learning/working experience, we must be aware of how we differ from our classmates and co-workers. However, being aware of these differences is not enough! We must take these variances into consideration when making a decision that will affect others. 


Once we get into the habit of taking others’ value systems into play, we actually begin to establish better relationships with others. Oftentimes, we are prejudiced against others without even realizing it; but by making a conscious effort to respect every person as a human being with valid values and beliefs, we begin to see the benefit of diversity and begin to learn from others. The synergy that results from a good working relationship with our classmates and co-workers is
well worth the initial sacrifice in time that it takes to begin the process of understanding and appreciating others. 


Be a Team Worker
Teamwork has become the buzzword in the last few years. You may have heard of it in the form of group presentations, study teams, quality circles, self-directed work teams, or many of the other guides used. Despite the different names used to express the idea, the concept is the same. We must all learn to function in teams and work together toward a common goal or to solve a common problem. The synergy that results from working together leads to a better solution than
any of the members could have developed alone. 

In the ideal organization, co-workers are more empowered than they were a decade ago. That is, each employee’s opinion is taken into consideration and they have more of an input about the direction of the company.  Employees today are not typically given instructions to follow without their having provided input into the process development. This new respect and responsibility is a great opportunity for the employees of today, but only if they posses the necessary team interaction skills!


To be a team player, an individual must possess a team spirit and a willingness to work with others. He or she must be tolerant of the ideas and viewpoints of others and assertive enough to offer his/her own opinions. Team members must be careful not to criticize their teammates. They must also be willing to share the spotlight or glory of success with their fellow team members.


The team will undoubtedly be comprised of individuals with different
personalities, beliefs, and levels of experience. Again, we must strive to work together and maximize our working or learning experience by respecting and learning from each other.


Be Cooperative
A cooperative attitude is always a must. Each person, including students and employees, is always judged on his/her willingness to cooperate with and get along with others. Cooperation often calls for the  compromising of certain values or ideas. Although the solution reached from such a compromise will not be your original solution, it will be the optimal solution because you have worked together to solve a problem.

Cooperation also involves a willingness to learn from others and to bend your beliefs. It also requires a willingness to work together.


Displaying a cooperative attitude encourages others to be cooperative. This creates a win/win situation and a positive environment for all people involved. In such an environment, employees are happier and more productive, and the outcomes reached are greater than they would have been with the absence of a cooperative spirit.
  
Be Assertive
Another desirable workplace behavior is assertiveness. Assertiveness is
speaking your mind or making your opinions known without being brash or pushy. Being assertive is speaking boldly and with self-confidence. One assertive person will promote candor in the classroom and/or work environment. This candor will encourage others to voice their opinions. The benefit of having each person’s input is invaluable. First of all, if each person feels that he/she has contributed to the solution, he/she will be more committed to its implementation. 
Second, the voicing of one’s opinion tends to stimulate development of opinion from others. 


Assertiveness can also lead to increased awareness and respect for an individual. Those employees who speak up for themselves and voice their opinions earn respect from their peers and their superiors. The old saying that the squeaky wheel gets the oil is a prime example of the benefit of assertiveness. After all, who is more likely to receive the outcome he/she desires —the person who is brave enough to express concern or to ask for particular treatment or the one who sits back and does not utter a word?


Displays a Customer Service Attitude
A customer service attitude is, without a doubt, the most important aspect of an individual’s attitude. This applies even to students in a typical classroom and to employees who have little or no direct contact with the external customer. Customer service is more than knowing that the customer is always right. Customer service is knowing who your customers are and how to treat them. Customers take the form of classmates, instructors, co-workers, supervisors, subordinates, and the traditional external customers. 


Customers can be anyone whom we serve or who may potentially benefit from the work that we do. Customers should be treated carefully and respectfully because if they do not feel that they have been treated so, they will no longer be our customers. Too many people provide the same service that we do for a customer to choose to remain dissatisfied for very long!


Seek Opportunities for Continuous Learning
The person who coined this phrase, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” obviously did not have to function as a student or an employee in today’s competitive market. Today all “dogs” must constantly be on the lookout for learning new and improved ways for performing the “tricks” that they already know as well as learning as many new tricks as possible. 


We have to face the facts that lifelong learning is the key to retaining success over a long period of time. We cannot afford the luxury of being complacent in today’s rapidly changing world. Technology forces us to constantly re-learn how to perform a task. Those of us who realize the value of continuous learning and take advantage of the increasing opportunities for obtaining new skills or improving old ones are the ones who will remain successful for the long haul. Those who do not recognize the value of continuous self-improvement or fail to
seize opportunities to learn will be bypassed by those who do. Perhaps the old cliché, “Get on board the train or get out of its path”, says it best!


Demonstrate Mannerly Behavior 
Manners may seem old fashioned and not a requirement for today’s students  and employees, but nothing could be further from the truth. The display of manners is becoming more important each day. 


Manners are more than saying “Yes, Sir” and “No, Sir” to your elders. Manners are about treating others the way you would like to be treated—in other words, they are what "The Golden Rule" is all about. Displaying manners is about respecting the views and beliefs of others. 


Respect Confidentiality
Proprietary information must always be kept in the strictest of confidence. In the working environment, the degree of exposure to such information varies greatly among industries and also among positions within a company. There are not as many opportunities to test the respect of confidentiality in the classroom as there are in the typical job, but it is still very important. 


The leaking of confidential information can lead to severe problems on many levels. If the information is of a personal nature, such as the salary of one employee, morale could deteriorate and conflict among co-workers or classmates could arise. If the information is of a financial nature and is leaked to the wrong person (such as the price of an item if price varies by customer), it could lead to the dissatisfaction or loss of a customer. The loss of a customer may even lead to the downfall or bankruptcy of the company.


The examples given above are the obvious results of breach of confidentiality. Sometimes the infraction may appear to be harmless, but it may lead to the loss of a customer. It is best to always keep information that is of a private nature confidential. 


If we do become privy to such information, we often fail to keep it confidential because we like to feel important and we like for others to see us as someone who is “in the know.” What we don’t realize is that divulging private information does not make us appear informed, but rather as the person that nobody can trust and as the leader of the rumor mill.


View this video presentation on Teamwork.



What is the best advice you could give to someone who is a novice when it comes to working in teams?