{"id":10788,"date":"2017-03-21T21:38:35","date_gmt":"2017-03-22T02:38:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trainingmag.com\/civility-at-least-in-the-workplace\/"},"modified":"2021-02-16T15:11:32","modified_gmt":"2021-02-16T21:11:32","slug":"civility-at-least-in-the-workplace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trainingmag.com\/civility-at-least-in-the-workplace\/","title":{"rendered":"Civility, at Least in the Workplace"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s been a trying past year or so. Unfortunately, the stress from the lack of civility in the political spectrum can easily find its way into the workplace. That is not good for business.<\/p>\n

In the world of business, you don\u2019t get to choose your office mates. You arrive at work on that first day and most likely don\u2019t know anyone, or one or two people at best. Your colleagues may or may not be people you agree with on a whole host of social and political issues, not to mention personal habits and ways of interacting. Yet, somehow, you all have to get along.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, the recent divisive political landscape can exacerbate the potential for disagreement, which inevitably leads to more stress. Here\u2019s the unfortunate thing about stress in the workplace, which I call the Incivility Vicious Circle:<\/p>\n

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Stress leads to loss of awareness. When stressed, a person tends not to think of how his or her actions affect others. Instead, the person focuses more and more on how he or she feels and then acts accordingly, which can lead to incivility and rudeness. It stands to reason that when people are subjected to incivility and rudeness, they experience more stress. And now the vicious circle repeats itself, over and over again. The end result is a workplace that has a negative atmosphere, low morale, and low productivity.<\/p>\n

Inevitably, you\u2019ll be in a situation where a controversial topic comes up. How you choose to engage\u2014or not engage\u2014will determine whether you become entangled in the Incivility Vicious Circle. Here are some tips that can help:<\/p>\n

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  1. \n

    Stick to the issue and facts, <\/strong>not \u201calternative facts.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Avoid making it personal<\/strong>. Beware of comments such as, \u201cOnly an idiot would think that.\u201d The other person will respond to the personal comments, and the conversation will devolve into an argument.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    Curb your inclination to respond in kind <\/strong>if the other person becomes offensive or says something personal.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  4. Don\u2019t argue. <\/strong>Hold your emotions in check so you don\u2019t let your comments become argumentative and heated. You will help keep the other person from going in that direction, too.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    POSITIVE VIBES<\/strong><\/p>\n

    It is possible to avoid becoming caught in the Incivility Vicious Circle and to foster a neutral or, even better, a positive work environment. Here are four tips to keep the workplace environment positive and pleasant:<\/p>\n

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    1. \n

      Don\u2019t put others down.<\/strong> Introduce people and include them in conversation. Be a good listener.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    2. \n

      Accept responsibility for your actions<\/strong> and give credit where it is due.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    3. \n

      Pick your fights carefully. <\/strong>You may not like some of your colleagues, but constantly criticizing them or questioning the way they do things will only lead to tagging you as the \u201ccomplainer.\u201d Ask yourself why your company values that person who frustrates you and focus on those qualities instead.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    4. If you are going to confront a person:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n