A person I work with can't seem to understand what not to say to avoid ticking me off. I have been working here for 4 years as a senior strategist, she for 9 months as a specialist. After I finished a project (which she originally abandoned because she went on an extended vacation only 3 months after she was hired), I had some proofing samples brought in to test. While I was talking to the vendor, this specialist proceeds to interrupt my conversation, critique the materials that I produced and approved, and suggests ridiculous applications of the product which were all together not feasible and more costly. The vendor left after I assured him that what we had decided to go forward with will remain as is. The specialist then tops off the event with telling me 'Good Job' in a tone that can only be similar to that of a kindergarten teacher. I wanted to tell her to 'Bite me'!
There are certain unsaid rules to follow when starting at a new job and working with others
1) DON'T ASSUME you know how things work in a business until you have been there for at least 1 year. No matter if you have held that exact same position for 10 years in a different company, the dynamics of another business may be altogether inappropriate to the new operation method.
2) Take the first year to shut up and LISTEN, rather than speak during any open air opportunities. Certainly you should ask questions humbly to understand that which you don't know, but the more you listen the more you can learn and progress in your performance.
3) Give the people who have worked there for a longer period RESPECT and trust that they have the most expertise in their activities. They would not have remained employed at that business if they did not perform their duties effectively. If you come in to a position with blazing finger points, you won't have any fellow associates defending you when you commit a major screw up (which most new employees will do).
4) As all individual people are different, you must learn which method works best to get the best out of each individual. ADAPT your own terminology and voice inflections to get the best results. You have no control over their behavior, even if they report to you. Address any of their inappropriate behavior formally,with calmness, and possibly with an arbitrator.
5) DO NOT PATRONIZE superiors with phrases like "Good Job" as these should be reserved for those associates of equal or inferior position. For those of superior position whom you should show respect, use phrases like "Great" or "Wonderful" when they have made a change and try to refer to the improvement process rather than that person's performance. If you do spout out a 'Good job' or 'Great work' to superior then you will lose respect.
6) If you have a suggestion for a possible improvement, don't start it with terms like "You should..." or "Why didn't you..." or "You need to"... By using the word 'you', the statement becomes a personal attack rather than one that addresses a process. If it involves a change in their behavior, the term "We" works better, as it implies your willingness to SHARE the responsibility and thus can't be personal. "Could we do it like this...." refers to the company employees working to improve operations together.
7) Let the boss be the boss. If you disagree with the direction that he/she is deciding to take the company in, you can express your feeling but then step back and let him/her take the ownership of what they have been awarded responsibility. If you continue to support your superiors activities, you will earn their respect and one day, when you are in the management position, you can make changes in activities over which you have authority.
Please, PLEASE keep these things in mind if you are in your first year of employment at a company. Otherwise, you might become a 'Specialist' in unemployment very soon after.
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