Administrative Assistant's Update - sample

3 Administrative Assistant's UPDATE Civility: You have the power By Julie Blais Comeau My civility workshop participants are always shocked about the costs of workplace incivility. Eighty percent of employees admit to spending time worrying about those behaviours. Uncivil actions and words are not bullying. They are as subtle as not using the magic words, checking a device during a one-on-one meeting, taking credit for someone else's idea or passing blame. It is a sigh, a roll of the eyes, withholding information and demeaning comments. It can have ripple effects, like when a leader waits for latecomers or when someone does not clean up after himself. Often impulsive, non-premeditated, these manners can embarrass, rob us of self-confidence and become engrained in a vicious cycle or become contagious. Common courtesy is simple, but as you may have experienced, common courtesy is not common sense. I believe in the power of one. You have the power to create a civil environment, to be aware of your words and actions and to respect others, their values, their things and their time. Civility is contageous, and it starts with you. You have the power to inspire others to contribute to civility. Choose civility, one interaction at a time. Take an outsider's empathetic look at you and your behaviours. Civility starts with respect. Respect others, their values, their work and contributions. Respecting does not mean tolerating, especially in the presence of uncivil conduct. Don't point fingers. Instead express your needs in a firm, calm voice that is non-judgmental, sensible and sensitive. "I need your attention and have another appointment after this one. Let's please put away our phones and concentrate on the agenda." "I am having a hard time concentrating. I would really appreciate it if you could please move the conver - sation from the hallway, so I can get back to my work." "I need you to please stop speaking to me this way." Be the one with the human touch. Don't be one of those guys on the run. Slow it down. Be the one. By Leslie Hughes LinkedIn is an information trove. Let's say your executive has a meet- ing with the CEO of another company. If they have an optimized LinkedIn profile you can see: • Their "story": Savvy executives tell the story about how their company helps their network. As forward- facing brand ambassadors of their company, their bio will share their background, education and experi- ence. • Their background: Even if the executive hasn't effectively updated their Summary with a relevant story, you'll often be able to see what com- panies they used to work for, and the school they attended. • Their network: Are they connected to other colleagues or friends that your executive is also connected to? • Their interests: People will follow status updates from brands and professional influencers they are interested in. Having access to all this "insider" (yet public) information will provide your executive with easy icebreakers of connections they have in common. Some people worry that looking at someone's LinkedIn profile will seem like "stalking," but it's not; it shows that your executive has come prepared with due diligence. Leslie Hughes is a LinkedIn optimization specialist, professor of social media, corporate trainer, principal of PUNCH!media and author of Create. Connect. Convert. Called a "social media guru" by CBC Radio, Leslie has been working in digital marketing since 1997. PUNCH!media's goal is to empower through education and help executives gain confidence in their online presence. www.punchmedia.ca leslie@punchmedia.ca Sign up for Leslie's newsletter at www. punchmedia.ca Ammo for your executive's next meeting Leslie Hughes Julie Blais Comeau Julie Blais Comeau is Chief Etiquette Officer at ettiquettejulie.com, a firm dedicated to teaching the interpersonal skills necessary to professional success: client service, business etiquette, international protocol and cultural intelligence. She is a professional speaker, author and media collaborator. Mention this article and receive a 10% discount on your team's next workshop.

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