13.1
Your Personal Traits at Work
SECTION OPENER / CLOSER
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Section 13.1
Your Personal Traits at Work
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
13.1
Your Personal Traits at Work
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
How to recognize and develop
personal traits that will enable you
to get along with others in the
workplace
continued
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
13.1
Your Personal Traits at Work
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
Methods for developing behaviors
that will make you a more
effective coworker
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
13.1
Your Personal Traits at Work
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
Your ability to demonstrate the
personal traits and behaviors
that employers and employees
desire will greatly affect your
success in the workplace.
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
Your Personal Traits at Work
13.1
KEY TERMS
tact
empathize
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
13.1
Your Personal Traits at Work
Your Personal Traits at Work
If you develop good interpersonal
relationships with your coworkers,
you’ll enjoy your time at work more.
By showing a willingness to cooperate,
you’ll receive cooperation in return.
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
Important Personal Traits
The following traits are important in the
workplace:
responsibility, including
dependability and positive
motivation;
self-esteem, including confidence;
continued
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
Important Personal Traits
sociability, including friendliness,
enthusiasm, adaptability, and
respect for others;
integrity/honesty, including loyalty
and trustworthiness; and
continued
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
Important Personal Traits
self-management, including selfcontrol and tact.
Tact is the ability to say things in a
way that will not offend other people.
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
Important Personal Traits
Your success at work is an important
factor in your overall well-being.
Success is only attainable with the
right personal qualities.
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
Self-Awareness on the Job
Self-awareness is your knowledge of
your personality and individuality.
If you are self-aware, you know not only
your strengths, but also the traits you
need to improve.
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
Self-Awareness on the Job
Understanding your own unique blend of
qualities helps you adjust to new work
situations and get along well with others.
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
Improving Your Personal Traits
Four steps to self-improvement are
to:
1. Zero in on one trait at a time.
2. Draw up a plan and stick to it.
3. Keep track of your progress.
4. Move on to the next trait.
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
Becoming an Effective Coworker
By developing your positive traits,
you will get along better with your
coworkers.
By getting along better with your
coworkers, you will be more effective
at your job.
continued
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
13.1
Your Personal Traits at Work
Becoming an Effective Coworker
By being more effective at your job,
you will advance more rapidly in your
career.
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
13.1
Your Personal Traits at Work
Becoming an Effective Coworker
Effectiveness comes about when
workers cooperate with one another.
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
13.1
Your Personal Traits at Work
Becoming an Effective Coworker
To be an effective coworker, you
need:
respect,
understanding,
communication, and
good humor.
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
Respecting Others
Mutual respect is the foundation of
cooperation.
The “I’m-better-than-you” attitude, the
idea that you are superior, undermines
cooperation.
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
Respecting Others
Workers who become jealous of their
coworkers view them as rivals.
Jealous workers withhold respect
and cooperation.
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
Respecting Others
A jealous worker refuses to admit that
coworkers may have worked more
effectively and deserve raises or
promotions.
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
Understanding Others
You can develop understanding by
taking an interest in your coworkers’
goals and personal traits, and by
empathizing with them.
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
Understanding Others
To empathize is to see someone
else’s point of view and to imagine
yourself in his or her situation.
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
Understanding Others
Pay attention to your coworkers’ body
language.
Be alert to facial expressions, which
often give clues to people’s inner
feelings.
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
Communicating with Others
How you listen is as important as
what you say.
If you don’t listen well, you won’t benefit
from being part of a team.
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
Communicating with Others
Good communication also means
sharing information.
To keep projects running smoothly,
convey information promptly and clearly.
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
Communicating with Others
Communicating does not mean talking
about your private life.
Leave personal issues at home.
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
Keep Smiling!
Your sense of humor can carry you—
and your coworkers—through times
of stress.
Your sense of humor can unite a team
and make people feel better about
themselves.
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
13.1
Graphic
Organizer
Your Personal
Traits
at Work
Being an Effective Coworker
Respect
Others
Understand
Others
Keep
Smiling
Communicate
With
Others
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
13.1
Your Personal Traits at Work
ETHICS in Action
Approaching Your Supervisor
You work the late shift at a customer service
center, where you receive incoming calls
from customers about their credit card
accounts. The other two workers on your
shift are best friends, and they take frequent
breaks together and leave you alone to
answer all of the calls.
continued
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
ETHICS in Action
Approaching Your Supervisor
You’ve tried to talk to them, but they haven’t
changed their behavior. Because your
supervisor isn’t around at night, he doesn’t
know what’s happening.
continued
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
ETHICS in Action
Approaching Your Supervisor
THINK ABOUT IT
How will you approach your supervisor
about your coworkers?
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
CAREER CHECKLIST
To Be an Effective Coworker…
Keep your work area neat and
organized.
Limit personal phone calls and e-mail.
Plan your day’s schedule, keeping in
mind any meetings or duties that will
interrupt your work time.
continued
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
CAREER CHECKLIST
To Be an Effective Coworker…
Complete the most important work first—
don’t get caught up in minor details.
Avoid procrastinating—it may prevent you
from producing top-quality work on
schedule.
Tackle one task at a time, and don’t get
sidetracked.
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
SECTION 13.1 REVIEW
Key Concept Checkpoint
Comprehension
1. Describe a situation in which you
effectively applied important personal
qualities. What did you learn from this
experience?
continued
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
SECTION 13.1 REVIEW
Key Concept Checkpoint
Comprehension
2. Which of the four interpersonal
behaviors discussed in this section do
you think is the most important?
Why?
continued
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
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Your Personal Traits at Work
SECTION 13.1 REVIEW
Key Concept Checkpoint
Critical Thinking
3. What type of body language can you
use to show that you’re a caring and
respectful coworker?
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work
13.1
Your Personal Traits at Work
SECTION OPENER / CLOSER
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End of Section 13.1
Your Personal Traits at Work
Chapter 13 • Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Succeeding in the World of Work