Personal Development for Life and Work

by Wallace, Harold R.; Masters, L. Ann

• ISBN13: 9780538697958
• ISBN10: 0538697954
• Edition: 8th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-11-09
• Publisher: South-Western Educational Pub

Summary

Personal Development for Life and Work is designed to help the new employee recognize the important role personal qualities play in the workplace. Successful attitudes, interpersonal skills, critical thinking skills, and strong work ethics are qualities today's employers seek and demand. This book offers users a relevant and engaging program for developing relationships, and preparing for successful employment. Completely updated to reflect the current trends and issues in the workplace, this new edition highlights relevant SCANS competencies and features expanded coverage of technology, diversity, ethics and on-the-job problem solving.

Table of Contents

Self-Esteem	1	(18)
Know Yourself	2	(7)
Develop Self-Esteem	2	(1)
Face and Accept Reality	3	(1)
Masks Off	4	(5)
Accept Yourself	9	(10)
Failure Can Pave the Way to Success	9	(1)
Be Sensitive to Feedback	10	(9)
Self-Improvement	19	(19)
Plan to Improve	20	(7)
Visualize Your Best Self	21	(1)
Long-Term Goals	22	(1)
Short-Term Objectives	22	(1)
Action Plans	23	(4)
Actively Working to Improve Yourself	27	(11)
Mentoring and Coaching	27	(1)
Counseling	27	(1)
Behavior Modification	28	(1)
Aptitude and Interest Testing	29	(1)
Try-Out Experiences	30	(8)
Developing Positive Attitudes	38	(23)
How Attitudes Develop	39	(4)
Attitudes Defined	39	(1)
Attitudes and Image	39	(1)
Learning Attitudes	40	(3)
Attitudes Are Catching	43	(5)
Your Feelings Show	44	(1)
Your Attitudes Influence Others	44	(4)
Improve Your Attitudes	48	(13)
Three Steps to Improve	48	(1)
Avoid the Negative	49	(1)
Coping with Other People's Negative Attitudes	50	(11)
Communication Channels	61	(29)
Communication	62	(4)
Communication Takes Two	62	(4)
Communication Barriers	66	(4)
Choice of Words	66	(1)
Selective Communication	67	(3)
Channel Openers	70	(5)
Friendly Attitude	70	(1)
Using Positive Persuasion	70	(1)
Help the Other Person Feel Important	71	(1)
Reward the Positive; Ignore the Negative	72	(3)
Communication Styles	75	(4)
Passive Communication	75	(1)
Aggressive Communication	75	(1)
Assertive Communication	76	(3)
Listening: A Vital Part of Communication	79	(11)
Barriers to Listening	79	(1)
Good Listening Skills	80	(2)
Separate Facts from Opinions	82	(8)
Getting Your Message Across	90	(25)
Rules for the Sender	91	(3)
Be Clear	91	(1)
Be Positive in Saying No	91	(3)
Conversational Skills	94	(6)
Voice Qualities	94	(2)
Don't Talk Too Fast	96	(1)
Learn to Listen	96	(1)
Respect the Space of Others	96	(1)
Achieve Eye Contact	97	(1)
Let Others Speak	97	(1)
Avoid Being Shy	97	(3)
Conversation---What Do I Say?	100	(5)
Keep Your Statements Pleasant	100	(1)
Get Involved	100	(1)
Keep an Open Mind	101	(1)
Avoid Total Disagreement	101	(1)
Encourage Feedback	101	(4)
Speaking Before Groups	105	(10)
Selecting the Subject	106	(1)
Preparing the Speech	107	(1)
Presenting the Speech	107	(8)
Communicating to Resolve Conflict	115	(23)
What Is Conflict?	116	(5)
What Is Conflict?	116	(1)
Types of Conflict	116	(5)
Conflict Stages	121	(4)
Stage I---Taking Sides	121	(1)
Stage II---Keeping Score	121	(1)
Stage III---Showdown	121	(1)
Stage IV---Adjustment	121	(4)
Handling Conflict Adjustments	125	(13)
Negative Conflict Adjustment	125	(1)
Positive Conflict Resolution	126	(12)
Working with Others	138	(33)
Value-Added Qualities	139	(7)
Cheerfulness	139	(1)
Sense of Humor	140	(1)
Tactfulness	141	(1)
Empathy and Sympathy	142	(1)
Willingness to Participate	142	(4)
Negative Traits to Avoid	146	(5)
Resentment	146	(1)
Irritating Habits	146	(1)
Envy or Jealousy	147	(1)
Self-Pity	148	(3)
Being a Team Player	151	(9)
Keys to Getting Along with Others	151	(4)
Your Position on the Team	155	(1)
Being a Good Team Player	156	(4)
Understanding Your Work Group	160	(11)
Helping the Problem Coworker	160	(1)
Identifying Special Coworkers	161	(10)
Getting Along with Your Supervisor	171	(29)
Know Your Supervisor	172	(7)
A Supervisor is a Real Person	172	(1)
Management Styles	172	(4)
Management Style Selection	176	(3)
Communicating with Your Supervisor	179	(6)
Allow No Surprises	179	(1)
Take Problems to Your Supervisor	179	(1)
Understand Communication Styles	180	(5)
What Do You Expect of Your Supervisor?	185	(6)
Your Right to Criticism	185	(1)
Avoid Negative Reactions to Criticism	186	(1)
Handling Criticism	186	(2)
Safe Work Environment	188	(1)
Personal Recognition	189	(2)
What Your Supervisor Expects of You	191	(9)
Be Present and On Time	191	(1)
Show Diligence and Initiative	191	(1)
Allegiance	191	(1)
Enthusiasm	192	(1)
Change	192	(8)
Relating to Clients and Customers	200	(19)
Customer Expectations	201	(6)
Quality Products and Services	201	(1)
Reliability	202	(1)
Empathy and Understanding	203	(1)
Timeliness	203	(1)
Recognition and Acknowledgment	204	(3)
Customer Communication	207	(12)
Be Attentive	207	(1)
Don't Be a ``Know-It-All''	207	(1)
Be Knowledgeable	208	(1)
Treat Customers with Respect	208	(1)
Be Helpful	209	(1)
Don't Take It Personally	209	(2)
Is the Customer Always Right?	211	(1)
Listen to and Believe Your Customers	211	(1)
Educate Your Customers	212	(1)
Attitude	212	(7)
Self-Motivation	219	(20)
Show Initiative	220	(7)
Sources of Motivation	220	(1)
Be Willing to Work	220	(1)
Take on Unpleasant Tasks	220	(1)
Act On Your Own	221	(1)
Learn On Your Own	222	(1)
Be Open and Eager to Learn	223	(1)
Do More and Better Than Expected	223	(4)
Be Responsible	227	(12)
Be Dependable	227	(1)
Be Conscientious	228	(1)
Exercise Good Judgment	229	(10)
Self-Management	239	(27)
Efficient Work Habits	240	(8)
Orderliness	240	(1)
Time Management	241	(3)
Resource Management	244	(4)
Stress Management	248	(18)
Causes and Effects of Stress	248	(3)
Stress Signals	251	(1)
Keep Stress Under Control	252	(2)
Develop Self-Control	254	(1)
Control Your Achievement Motivation	255	(1)
Maintain Good Health	256	(1)
Be Good to Yourself	257	(9)
Thinking Skills	266	(21)
Employers Want People Who Can Think	267	(5)
Thinking Defined	267	(1)
Higher-Order Thinking Abilities	268	(1)
Critical Thinking	269	(1)
Creative Thinking	269	(3)
Higher-Order Thinking Strategies	272	(15)
Evaluation	272	(1)
Decision Making	272	(1)
Problem Solving	273	(3)
Develop Your Thinking Skills	276	(11)
Standards of Conduct	287	(21)
Integrity and Ethics	288	(6)
Understand Employer Expectations	288	(1)
Keep Your Standards High	288	(1)
Loyalty	289	(1)
Avoid Drug and Alcohol Abuse	290	(4)
Honesty	294	(14)
Petty Theft	295	(1)
Expense Account Abuses	295	(2)
Abuses of Fringe Benefits	297	(11)
Valuing Diversity	308	(32)
Diversity in the Workplace	309	(6)
Take Pride in Who You Are	309	(1)
Widen Your Perspective	310	(1)
Past Intolerance of Diversity	310	(1)
The Workforce of Today	311	(4)
Cultural Conflict	315	(6)
Be Respectful of Other Cultures	315	(1)
Be Sensitive and Respectful of Differences	316	(1)
Manage Language Barriers	317	(1)
Help Others Make Cultural Adjustments	318	(3)
Discrimination	321	(19)
Prejudice and Stereotyping	321	(2)
What the Law Provides	323	(5)
Avoiding, Resisting, or Fighting Discrimination	328	(12)
Getting the Job	340	(35)
The Job Campaign	341	(5)
Making Your Inventory List	341	(1)
Organizing Your Inventory List	342	(1)
Checking Your Aptitude	342	(4)
Job Resources	346	(5)
People	346	(1)
Newspaper Help-Wanted Ads	346	(1)
Employment Agencies	347	(1)
Civil Service Positions	348	(1)
Other Job Resources	348	(3)
Job Search Documents	351	(12)
Resume	351	(3)
Job Application	354	(2)
Letter of Application	356	(7)
The Job Interview	363	(12)
Preparing for the Interview	363	(1)
Interview Questions	363	(1)
The Interview Process	364	(2)
Follow Up	366	(9)
Workplace Success	375	(30)
First Day on the Job	376	(5)
Employment Forms	376	(1)
Introductions	376	(1)
Job Description	377	(1)
Rules of the Job	378	(1)
Safety Rules	378	(1)
``Understood'' Rules	379	(2)
Keeping Your Job	381	(6)
Work Environment	381	(1)
Employment Insurance	381	(3)
Workplace Politics	384	(3)
Planning Your Career	387	(5)
Visualize Success in Your Career	387	(1)
Career Goal	388	(1)
Goal Planning	388	(4)
Moving Ahead	392	(13)
Performance Appraisals	392	(1)
Raises and Promotions	392	(3)
Leadership	395	(1)
How to Leave a Job	396	(9)
Glossary	405	(5)
Index	410