LAPLeadership, Attitude, Performance...making learning pay!

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1 LAPLeadership, Attitude, Performance...making learning pay! Emotional Intelligence LAP 9 Performance Indicator: EI:018 Student Guide You ve Got Personality Table of Contents Personality Traits 2 Personality Traits in Business Ready for Change 13 Objectives: Describe desirable personality traits in business. Describe steps that can be taken to change undesirable personality traits. Why bother learning about personality traits in business? What would you do? King Avenue, P.O. Box 12279, Columbus, Ohio Ph: (614) Fax: (614) Details: Copyright 2014 by MBA Research and Curriculum Center Use what you ve learned right now! 16 LAP-EI-009-PQ 2014, MBA Research and Curriculum Center You ve Got Personality 1

2 Personality Traits Both Amir and Felicia were hired to work at the community pool for the summer. Amir always shows up five minutes early, while Felicia often rolls in half an hour late. When gate traffic is slow, Amir tidies up the concession stand, while Felicia texts her friends. Sometimes, their boss asks them to work about an hour late. Amir readily agrees, while Felicia says she s busy and can t stay. At the end of the summer, the pool manager gives Amir a promotion and a raise for next year but doesn t encourage Felicia to apply again. Can you understand why? Each person has a unique personality and his/her own set of personality traits, but some personality traits are more desirable than others when it comes to business careers. In this example, Amir exhibits several desirable personality traits, but Felicia does not. If you re looking forward to a successful career in business, keep reading to learn more about the personality traits you should cultivate. Your personality You may have heard the term trait before without understanding what it means. A trait is a personal characteristic expressed by a regular pattern of behavior. When you act in certain ways consistently over a period of time, those actions become associated with you; they become part of the personality that you project to others. Let s say you re stressed while working on a class project, and you lose your temper with one of your group members. This doesn t necessarily mean that losing your temper is one of your personality traits. However, if you lose your temper during every group project, it s a part of your personality. Jacob Wackerhausen/iStock/Thinkstock Traits are personal characteristics expressed by regular patterns of behavior. The way you act over a period of time whether it s good or bad becomes a part of your personality. LAP-EI-009-PQ 2014, MBA Research and Curriculum Center LAP-EI-009-PQ 2014, MBA Research and Curriculum Center You ve Got Personality 2

3 Types of traits There are three general types or categories of personal traits physical, mental, and emotional. Physical traits include such characteristics as age, gender, race, height, weight, hair color, eye color, and build. You can describe a person s physical traits just by looking at him/her. Mental traits are associated with your intellectual abilities remembering, comprehending, analyzing, evaluating, and creating. Emotional traits involve your attitudes, feelings, values, and temperament. Interdependence The interaction of all your physical, mental, and emotional traits gives you your own individual, unique personality. Each trait has an influence (direct or indirect) upon the others. They are interdependent, or dependent upon one another. Physical traits, for instance, can influence your self-esteem and self-confidence (emotional traits). As an example, if you re younger than many of your coworkers, you might feel less confident at work. Emotional traits might also influence certain mental traits. So, if you have a chronic bad attitude and judge yourself too harshly, it might affect your ability to be creative. Magdanphoto/iStock/Thinkstock Emotional traits involve your attitudes, feelings, values, and temperament. Desirable traits Bringing out your positive personality traits can help you in many ways. Such traits can help you develop and improve relationships at work with customers, coworkers, and supervisors. They can also help you get along better with your teachers, fellow students, family members, and friends. But improved relationships aren t the only upside to positive personality traits. They can also help you improve the caliber of your job performance and help you become more successful in business overall. LAP-EI-009-PQ 2014, MBA Research and Curriculum Center You ve Got Personality 3

4 Need more explanation? Here are a few business situations in which positive personality traits really come in handy: Your supervisor needs a client file right now. Because you re an organized employee, you know exactly where to locate it, and you don t need to spend valuable time rooting through the files on your desk. The president of your company shows up at 8 a.m. for a surprise visit. Because you re a dependable employee, you re already at your desk and hard at work when she arrives. Your manager has some constructive criticism for you during your performance evaluation. Because you re a receptive employee, you are open-minded to his input and use it to improve your work. Some money is missing from the cash register at the store where you work. Because you ve built a reputation as an honest employee, your superiors believe you when you say you didn t take it. There s a big deadline coming up, and everyone in the work group needs to pitch in to get a proposal ready in time. Because you re a cooperative employee, you help your team members finish their tasks and contribute toward the common goal. Danial Ernst/iStock/Thinkstock Positive personality traits can come in handy at work. For example, if you re an organized person, you ll be able to quickly find the client file your boss needs. LAP-EI-009-PQ 2014, MBA Research and Curriculum Center You ve Got Personality 4

5 Study the following list of desirable personality traits. As you read, try to determine where your own strengths and weaknesses lie. n Dependability Being dependable means you are reliable, and you do what you say you will do. It also means you show up for work on time every day (unless you have a valid reason for being absent or late) instead of leaving your coworkers wondering where you are. Dependable people honor their commitments and obligations. If they have a deadline at work, they meet it, even if it means coming in early or staying late. They comply with the rules (written and unwritten), carry their own weight, and avoid imposing on other people. To hear some tips on how to be more dependable at work (as well as how important it is to be honest), watch this video, Keys to Coming Across as a Trustworthy and Dependable Business Person from DocStocTV: youtube.com/watch?v=923q0iw7m2e. n Industriousness Working hard or hardly working? For industrious people, the answer is simple. Industriousness means being ready, willing, and able to work hard. Industrious people care about and take pride in the quality of their performance. They know that there s no room for laziness in a business career. No one ever achieves success by taking short cuts or just sliding by. You can demonstrate industriousness by showing up at work prepared to take on any task that might come your way. Also, treat each work task as if it s important, even if it seems tedious or frustrating. Taking care of the little things will prove to your supervisors that you are ready for increased responsibility. TommL/iStock/Thinkstock Dependable people are reliable. They meet their deadlines, even if it means staying late at work. LAP-EI-009-PQ 2014, MBA Research and Curriculum Center You ve Got Personality 5

6 n Honesty and integrity Honest people set high personal standards for their own behavior. Others can rely on them to be trustworthy, to be fair, and to keep their promises. If you want to be known for your integrity, be yourself. Learn to present a real image, and never lie or bend the truth. Gossip might seem fun, but people with honesty and integrity know that listening to it or spreading it can only lead to trouble. And, if someone tells you something that s meant for your ears only, don t betray his/her confidence. When trust is broken, it is very hard to earn back. At work, honesty and integrity also involve maintaining company confidentiality and respecting company property. As an employee, you may have information about your company that shouldn t be made public. Perhaps it s information about a new product in development or an upcoming merger. Your company will expect you to keep this news to yourself until the appropriate time. You can respect company property by treating it with care and using it for work purposes only. Honest people don t take home office supplies or use office equipment for their own personal use. n Loyalty Fuse/Thinkstock Honesty and integrity are important personality traits. Listening to or spreading gossip can only lead to trouble. Dedication is important in any group you re a part of, but it s especially important in a work group. Successful businesspeople demonstrate loyalty (faithfulness and devotion) both to the aims of the business and to the members of the work group. After all, work groups should be striving toward one common goal. Showing loyalty means that even if you disagree with a coworker, you refrain from bad-mouthing him/her to other people. Loyal employees protect the work group and keep the business s best interests as a priority. LAP-EI-009-PQ 2014, MBA Research and Curriculum Center You ve Got Personality 6

7 n Positive attitude Having a positive attitude is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your relationships both personal and professional. Look on the bright side, even when you re facing problems. Be friendly, polite, and helpful to your coworkers and customers. And don t lose your sense of humor it will go a long way toward making the workplace pleasant for everyone. n Interest and enthusiasm Successful businesspeople show a sincere interest in the people around them, in the goods and/or services that their businesses provide, and in the welfare of their businesses in general. Have you ever visited a business, such as a retail store, where you were greeted in an unenthusiastic, uninterested manner? How did it affect your perception of the business? Don t forget to be enthusiastic as you carry out your job responsibilities. It will create a positive impact on both customers and coworkers. n Adaptability Adaptability is the ability to adjust to changing situations. In other words, adaptable people are flexible. They learn how to handle the many changes that occur in life. Think about the changes you ve faced in your life recently. Maybe you ve started a new school, or maybe you ve had to deal with a new class or a new teacher. The workplace is constantly changing as well. If you want to be adaptable, learn to go with the flow instead of resisting change or criticizing the people associated with it. This will help you grow, personally as well as professionally. Jacob Wackerhausen/iStock/Thinkstock Being enthusiastic about your job creates a positive impact on your customers and coworkers. If you re having trouble adapting at work, the video How to Demonstrate Adaptability on the Job by Darryle Brown will help: video_ _demonstrate-adaptability-job.html. LAP-EI-009-PQ 2014, MBA Research and Curriculum Center You ve Got Personality 7

8 n Initiative Workers who demonstrate initiative are ready and willing to act without having to be told to do so. You can show your initiative by volunteering for additional duties, even if they re not particularly fun or interesting. Businesses are always looking for employees who are self-motivated. Self-motivated people have an inner drive to complete tasks and accomplish goals. For example, Darren wants to learn how to use a new software program that he thinks will help him do his job better, so he signs up for a seminar without being asked to do so. Selfmotivated people develop new skills or show the initiative to come up with new ideas to benefit the business. n Creativity Creativity isn t just for artists, writers, and actors. Everyone has at least some creativity, and most jobs require at least a small degree of it. Learn to generate new ideas, new approaches, new ways of thinking, and new ways to solve old problems. Businesses seek employees who can think outside the box. You might not think of yourself as a creative person, but anyone can become creative with a little effort! Check out this article, Five Steps to Business Creativity by Roger Trapp: forbes.com/sites/rogertrapp/2013/10/21/five-steps-to-businesscreativity/. It explains what you can do to be more creative at work. Wavebreak Media/Thinkstock Most jobs require at least some creativity. Businesses are looking for employees who can think outside the box! LAP-EI-009-PQ 2014, MBA Research and Curriculum Center You ve Got Personality 8

9 n Self-control Restraint of your feelings, words, and actions is known as selfcontrol. Especially during trying situations, demonstrate patience and tolerance. You might want to yell at a rude customer or at a coworker who made a mistake, but having self-control means that you keep your temper in check. Temper tantrums and impulsive actions have no place in the business world! Take the time to analyze a situation before you react to it. A lack of self-control will only make you look immature and irresponsible, which certainly won t help you earn the respect of your coworkers and customers. n Self-confidence Self-confidence is a positive belief in your own talents, skills, and objectives. This personality trait is very important at work because it helps you to build successful relationships with others. To develop self-confidence, do things to enhance your feelings of self-respect and self-worth. Capitalize on your strengths, and work to improve your weaknesses. However, when you re displaying self-confidence, remember to share the credit for achievements. Self-confidence doesn t mean hogging the spotlight. n Empathy Empathy is the ability to put yourself in another person s place and to see things from his/her point of view. It involves sensitivity to, concern for, and understanding of others. Learn to listen and to accept others for who they are, respecting their individuality and showing compassion for their particular concerns. Can you think of a person in your life who has demonstrated empathy? How has this affected your relationship with him/her? Can less than the best personality traits ever help you in the business world? Let s say that you have a high-pressure sales job. You work for commission, and there s a lot of competition between you and your coworkers. While closing a particularly important sale, you re tempted to act aggressively and place a lot of pressure on your customer. You even consider bending the truth a little and offering your customer things that you re not sure the company can deliver. You know that being overly aggressive and dishonest isn t desirable, but what can you do? You need to make the sale to get your commission, and you re convinced that your customer will be truly better off if s/he makes this purchase, too. Does the end justify the means? Is it okay to exhibit less-than-desirable personality traits if everyone benefits? LAP-EI-009-PQ 2014, MBA Research and Curriculum Center You ve Got Personality 9

10 n Assertiveness The ability to express yourself, communicate your point of view, and stand up for your rights, principles, and beliefs is known as assertiveness. Assertive people display confidence and speak with authority. Remember, however, to be respectful and tactful. There s a difference between assertiveness and aggressiveness learn to speak your mind without being pushy or rude. n Leadership Leadership, the ability to guide or direct the actions of others, is highly desired by employers. Engage in activities that will help you to develop this important skill, such as learning how to delegate tasks and how to give constructive criticism. Choose leaders at your current job whom you admire, and ask them if they will mentor you. It s no secret that employers are looking for job candidates who know how to be leaders. Find out if you have what it takes to become a leader by reading the article Are You the Team Leader Employers are Looking For? by Mariane Jobin: n Cooperativeness BananaStock/BananaStock/Thinkstock Cooperativeness is an important trait in the business world. Cooperating shows your commitment to the team and to the business. Successful businesses rely on teamwork. Cooperativeness is a willingness to work well with others to achieve a common goal. To show you are cooperative, learn to respect and to work harmoniously with others. Listen to others with an open mind. Don t demand your own way; instead, compromise to resolve conflicts. This demonstrates your commitment to the team and to the business. LAP-EI-009-PQ 2014, MBA Research and Curriculum Center You ve Got Personality 10

11 n Receptivity Receptivity refers to an attitude of open-mindedness. Learn to accept criticism, admit mistakes, and profit from feedback. Be open to input from other people, and truly listen to what they re saying. No one likes working with someone who immediately goes on the defensive when approached with constructive criticism. Having a positive attitude can help you develop receptivity. n Organizational skills Being organized and systematic in your behavior makes you a more efficient employee. Develop your organizational skills, and keep your work area and computer files neat. Learn to classify and prioritize work tasks so you can get your most urgent tasks done first. Being organized doesn t just apply to files though successful businesspeople know that time-management skills are an important part of organization, too. n Communication skills You might have tons of great ideas for your company, but they won t do you any good if you can t tell anyone about them! Being able to properly communicate with your coworkers, supervisors, and customers is extremely important. Great communication involves expressing yourself clearly both verbally and in written forms, like s or memos. But don t forget that communication doesn t just mean talking it also involves listening when other people talk! Chris Lamphear/iStock/Thinkstock Receptive people are open-minded. Open-minded people can accept criticism, admit mistakes, and profit from feedback. To learn more about what it takes to communicate well in a business setting, check out the article Communication Skills for Business by Megan Martin: LAP-EI-009-PQ 2014, MBA Research and Curriculum Center You ve Got Personality 11

12 Summary Chad Baker/Photodisc/Thinkstock Hemera/Thinkstock A trait is a personal characteristic expressed by a regular pattern of behavior. There are three general types or categories of personal traits physical, mental, and emotional. The interaction of all your physical, mental, and emotional traits gives you your own individual, unique personality. To develop or improve your relationships with customers, coworkers, supervisors, and others in your life, you should try to bring out some of your more positive personality traits. These traits include dependability, industriousness, honesty and integrity, loyalty, positive attitude, interest and enthusiasm, adaptability, initiative, creativity, self-control, self-confidence, empathy, assertiveness, leadership, cooperativeness, receptivity, organizational skills, and communication skills. 1. What is a trait? 2. Describe the three main types of traits. 3. Describe interdependence among traits. 4. How can positive traits contribute to success in business? 5. List and describe at least eight positive traits for business. LAP-EI-009-PQ 2014, MBA Research and Curriculum Center You ve Got Personality 12

13 Ready for Change Everyone has some personality traits that are desirable and some that are not and this includes you! Desirable traits help you succeed both at work and in your personal life. They tend to have positive, rather than negative, effects on others. Traits such as these might include dependability, cooperativeness, and initiative. But what about those traits that you would rather not have? Are you ever jealous, selfish, lazy, impolite, or dishonest? Don t feel bad we all have some undesirable traits, and the good news is that they can be changed! For this to happen, three conditions must exist: First, you have to recognize your undesirable traits. What is it that you need to change? It will be impossible to do so unless you take an honest look at yourself and identify areas that need improvement. It s not always easy to identify your undesirable traits. Most people prefer to think of themselves in the best possible light. If you look at yourself objectively, however, you will realize that you are not perfect no one is! Just keep in mind that to improve yourself and your relationships with others, it is important to know your own weaknesses. Second, you have to want to change or eliminate your undesirable traits. The only lasting motivation for change must come from within. If you don t truly want to eliminate your undesirable traits, none of the changes you make will last for the long term. Ready for change? Three conditions must exist: 1. You have to recognize your undesirable traits. 2. You have to want to change or eliminate your undesirable traits. 3. You have to do something about your undesirable traits. Third, you have to do something about your undesirable traits. You must take action that will cause change to occur. You can t expect your undesirable traits to simply disappear changing them requires a conscious effort. You need to concentrate on the undesirable trait and then do everything you can to change or eliminate it. LAP-EI-009-PQ 2014, MBA Research and Curriculum Center You ve Got Personality 13

14 To illustrate, let s say that you want to improve your organizational skills. If you really want to do something about them, you can succeed. It will undoubtedly mean, though, that certain changes in your lifestyle will have to occur. For example, it might mean allotting more time for cleaning your work space, filing papers, and updating your datebook or calendar. You might have to get up earlier in the morning or stay up later at night to catch up on certain tasks. You may even need to enlist the help of a friend or coworker to help you learn to be more organized. Alteration in action You can start changing undesirable traits by first listing at least three that you would like to change. Then, rank the traits in order of how important it is to you to change them. Remember that when attempting change, it is important to concentrate on only one trait at a time. Keep it manageable! After all, change isn t always easy, and you don t want to become overwhelmed. Focus first on the trait you most want to change there will be plenty of time to work on the other ones later. diawka/stock/thinkstock Everyone has some undesirable traits. Ready to change yours? Start with listing at least three traits you want to change. LAP-EI-009-PQ 2014, MBA Research and Curriculum Center You ve Got Personality 14

15 Think of things that you can do (or not do, as the case may be) to change the undesirable trait that you have identified. Write these down to help you keep track if you don t keep a record of your progress, you ll never know if you ve succeeded. Each time you carry out one of these actions, place a checkmark beside it. At the end of each week, count the number of checkmarks you have for each activity and reevaluate how the trait is affecting your life, your work, and your relationships. Are you making progress? Do you need to make changes to your plan? Remember, to put your desire for change into action, you need to: 1. Identify your undesirable personality traits. 2. Determine which trait you most want to change. 3. Consciously try to change it by: a. Listing things that you can do to change it b. Keeping a record of progress you make ZoonarRF/Zoonar/Thinkstock Summary Undesirable traits can be changed. First, you must recognize your undesirable traits. Second, you must want to change them. Third, you must take action. LAP-EI-009-PQ 2014, MBA Research and Curriculum Center You ve Got Personality 15

16 Chad Baker/Photodisc/Thinkstock Hemera/Thinkstock 1. List some undesirable personality traits. 2. Describe the three steps you can take to put your desire for change into action. Think about the personality traits that you exhibit at work, at school, and at home. What positive traits do you possess that help you to be a good employee, student, and family member? What negative traits do you have that stand in your way? What can you do to improve? What is your best trait, and what trait is most in need of improvement? LAP-EI-009-PQ 2014, MBA Research and Curriculum Center You ve Got Personality 16