42 Ways to Make People Like and Respect You - The Muse

42 Ways to Make People Like and Respect You - The Muse42 Ways to Make People Like and Respect YouWe all want to be liked, yes. But- perhaps mora importantly in the workplace- we all want to be respected. Respect is so important when it comes to your career development. It comes into play when the higher-ups are considering your ideas, when theyre choosing people to participate in projects, and- yes- when theyre thinking about whos getting promotions or raises.But too often people associate earning respect with, well, elend being very nice. Were here to tell you thats elend often the right approach. Instead, try some of the ways below that you can make sure your colleagues like and respect you. Youll be on your way to being seen as a leader in no time.1. Do Your Job and Do It WellThe most basic way to get respect? Dont spend your time worrying about getting respect, and instead spend that time doing your job really, really well. Get a reputation for being really good at what you do, a nd word will surely get around. As career expert Jennifer Winter explains, Its hard to ignore results, and when youre striving for the respect of your colleagues, one of the best things you can do is show youve got the right stuff.2. Never Be Late or Miss a DeadlineAlong similar lines, get a reputation for being incredibly dependable. That means, any promise you make- be it a date to finish a project, an appointment, or anything else- you keep. 3. Dress Up (the Right Amount)You know the whole dress for the job you want spiel? While, yes, you should dress a little nicer than youre expected to, dont dress up so much that you look out of place or like you dont fit into the culture. So if your company has a casual dress code? Avoid the sweats, but avoid the suit, too.4. Treat Everyone With RespectIn order to get respect, you have to give it- and notlage just to the higher-ups. People will plektrum up if youre nice to the baboes but mean to the receptionist or delivery guy, and think you re a brown-noser rather than a genuinely good person. Aim for the latter. 5. Make Friends With the Right Peoplelandseek out relationships with others in your organization who are well-respected and well-liked. And were not just talking about higher-ups here- think anyone who has a great reputation around the office.6. Be a ConnectorKnow someone at another company who may be able to help with a problem a co-worker is facing, a friend who may be a great sales lead, or anyone else who you think could move the company forward? Introduce them Doing this shows off that you have an impressive network- but also that youre willing to share it in order to help others.7. Invite People AlongIf you got an invite to a snazzy event or are planning on networking after work one day, consider inviting along someone from work who you think might enjoy it. Shell be thrilled you thought of her, and youll get a chance to get to know one of your colleagues a little better.8. Use I LessStudies have shown t hat people tend to use the word I mora frequently when communicating with people they feel are more powerful than them. Want to level the playing field? Monitor your use of I. The people youre speaking with will view you as more powerful without ever knowing why.9. Ask for HelpWhile many people may think asking for help hints that you dont know what youre doing- earning you less respect- it can actually work in your favor in several ways (if done right). First, it shows the person youre asking that you respect his or her opinion. Second, it will show that youre productive enough not to waste tons of time trying to figure it out yourself. Finally, it shows that you care about your work (and your professional growth) enough to admit when you dont know something- and then learn from it. For more on how to do this right, check out Winters advice.10. Take Something Off a Colleagues PlateHave a little extra time? Ask your boss or another colleague if theres anything you can help out with or take over for them. Theyll appreciate the lighter load, and your proactive willingness to help will not go unnoticed. 11. Listen- Really ListenNothing will make people lose respect for you quicker than if they feel like your focus is always somewhere else when theyre talking to you. So next time youre in a conversation, make sure youre really engaged. Adopt open body language, dont let other things distract you, and ask validating or clarifying questions to show youre paying attention. For more on upping your listening skills, check out career coach Lea McLeods advice.12. Ask People How Are You?Being all business all the time wont make you very well liked. So take the time to ask people about their lives as well Youd be amazed how good a simple How are you? can make someone feel.13. Remember Things About PeopleTaking note of small details about people- their spouse and kids names, what theyre doing over the weekend, their hobbies, where theyre planning to vacation, and the like- and then asking them questions about those things or referencing them in conversation can be a surefire way to up your brownie points. It shows that you really listed, took the time to remember, and overall care about them as people. Have a terrible memory? Try Muse COO and productivity expert Alex Cavoulacos trick for remembering anything about anyone.14. Own Up to Your MistakesExplains Winter I know, it sounds a bit counterintuitive, given you want your clients to think youre a genius, but trust me They know nobody is perfect. In fact, your clients will probably get a bit suspicious if you never, ever, make a single mistake. Admitting when you do, however, shows them youre confident (and humble) enough to face the music. In my experience, thats a trait most people respect. (Hint This applies to your boss and co-workers, too)15. ...And Then Explain How Youre Going to Fix ThemThat being said, simply saying you messed up and then not doing anything about it isnt going to garner you m uch respect. Instead, when you fess up, make sure to come with a plan for how youre going to fix things. And if youre not sure what to do? Try to at least come up with a few options and then ask the person youre talking to for his or her thoughts on the best course of action (see point 9).16. Seek Out FeedbackShow that you know youre not perfect and are constantly looking to improve and grow yourself by regularly seeking out feedback from everyone around you. And this isnt just something for your annual performance review Try setting up monthly meetings with your boss, team members, and even direct reports where you can solicit open and honest feedback from them about what you can be doing better.17. Give Feedback, TooIt doesnt hurt to dole out some feedback from time to time, too. Obviously, you dont want to become the office critic, but giving colleagues the occasional dose of constructive criticism shows that youre committed to helping everyone around you grow and be the best pro fessionals they can be. Here are a few tips on how to give this advice without seeming like a jerk.18. Never Say Its Not My JobNotice the trash is overflowing? Take it out. See your colleague struggling to carry all the stuff for the conference booth? Grab a bag. Showing that youre willing to pitch in on small things- even if theyre not part of your job description and may be beneath your capabilities- shows that you dont think too highly of yourself and that youre willing to do whatever it takes to help the company succeed. And thats something that people can respect.19. Anticipate NeedsIve actually already started on that is music to your managers ears, explains Muse career expert Katie Douthwaite, It means that instead of waiting for him or her to ask you to do something, youve already thought of it and taken action. You obviously cant anticipate everything, but thinking of things your boss commonly asks for or that will make his or her life way easier is a good place to start.20 . Do Small Nice Things for PeopleWhether its grabbing an extra coffee on your way to work for your boss (or your intern) or getting some flowers for your colleagues desk when you know shes had a rough day, small gestures like this can speak wonders to your character. 21. Say No More OftenReally While you may think jumping at every opportunity is the way to gain more respect, the opposite is actually more often true- especially when you dont have time to do what youre being asked to do right. When you become known for having the guts to speak your mind, put a stake in the ground for the sake of everyones success and find better ways to navigate the rough waters, youll land as a person people respect, a leader, explain leadership trainers Nancy Vonk and Janet Kestin. So when you dont have time, show that you respect your time and the quality of your work too much to agree. Other people will follow suit. Nervous to say it? Try these strategies for turning people down nicely.22. Have an OpinionAgreeing with everything everybody says wont make people think of you as a leader. Instead, have a well-thought-out opinion on things, and dont be afraid to bring it to the table. Whether its an idea about a new product or service or a thought on how a process can work better, people will appreciate you thinking of ways to help the organization improve.23. Respect Other ViewpointsCaveat Dont dig your heels in the ground too much when it comes to your ideas. Instead, consider other peoples viewpoints, too, and be willing to compromise and work together to reach a solution that works for as many people as possible. 24. Speak UpNothing shows lack of confidence in yourself like mumbling. So speak up PR professional Ashley Colbert explains, To be taken seriously in a meeting, speak clearly, firmly, and loudly enough so that people can hear you. And avoid trailing off at the end of a sentence or using fluffy language like I hope to have this done or I think it will get results.25. Avoid the Gossip MillIf youre known for regularly putting down other people, people will start thinking down on you. So dont waste your time speculating about the lives of others. Instead, spend your time by the water cooler genuinely getting to know your colleagues- youll still be involved in the social side of the office, without tarnishing your reputation.26. Never Waste Anyones TimeGet more respect by showing people you respect their valuable time. What does this mean? Dont ask questions you can answer yourself, dont plan meetings that you dont need, and dont take forever getting back to people. You get the idea. 27. Make Your Meetings WorthwhilePeople are pretty skeptical of meetings, and so will likely think less of you if they think your meetings are a waste of time. Make sure youre following the 21 unwritten rules of meetings to have meetings that people seriously find valuable.28. Figure it Out YourselfInstead of always running to your boss for help when faced with a probl em, do everything you can to figure it out yourself. Even if you ultimately need approval before moving forward with a solution, its better to come to your manager with a plan for him or her to give an OK to than to come asking what should we do?29. Never Say I Dont KnowAt least, not on its own. Simply saying I dont know leaves the person asking you a question at a dead end and doesnt make you seem very willing to help. Instead, offer to help figure it out, get more information, or direct him or her to the right person to help out. See leadership coach Jo Millers suggestions for better responses when youre really not sure.30. Become a Stellar Public SpeakerLearning to speak well will gain you respect in many ways. First, youll have the ability to present more confidently in meetings. Second, youll be comfortable speaking at industry events, giving you credit as a leader in your field. But finally, all this practice and training will give you a more powerful speaking presence even in day-to-day conversations.31. Work on Communicating Both Warmth and AuthorityBody language expert Amy Cuddy explains When we judge others- especially our leaders- we look first at two characteristics how lovable they are (their warmth, communion, or trustworthiness) and how fearsome they are (their strength, agency, or competence). This is a fine line to balance, but Miller has some ideas for how to do it.32. Have Clear Work-Life BoundariesPeople are likely to connect with you more if you understand the importance of not working all the time. So set clear work-life boundaries- and then stick to them Whether its that you never check email on the weekends or you leave work by 6 to eat dinner with your family, if youre upfront about your boundaries, people should respect them- and you.33. Dont Leave Right at 5 PMThat being said, dont jet out of the office every day when the clock strikes five, especially if theres work that really needs to get done. Have boundaries, but show that youre willing to pull extra weight when its really important.34. Learn Your Colleagues Working Preferences- and Follow ThemHave a chat with the people you work most closely with about how they work best, and find ways to help them achieve that. Maybe one prefers conversations to emails and will appreciate you coming over to her desk rather than sending a lengthy message. Maybe another needs quiet working time in the morning and will notice if you stop scheduling meetings during that time. 35. Be a TeacherWhen a teammate or direct report is having trouble or does something wrong, instead of getting angry, get helpful. Walk him or her through how to do it. Youll get better employees, and theyll respect you for helping them grow.36. Be a MentorTake junior employees under your wing- even if they dont report to you- and help advise them on everything from company politics to career growth. Not only will the employees youre advising gain more respect for you, but others will notice the gesture , too. 37. Help Out NewbiesWhen someone new joins the company, make sure to say hello and let him know youre there if he has any questions or needs help- even if hes not in your department. People all over the company will start seeing you as a leader in the company from day one. 38. Champion Your EmployeesHave direct reports youre proud of? Understand their goals- and do whats in your power to help them achieve them Whether thats setting up a meeting with your boss because you know they want to grow at the company or helping them find opportunities to grow important skills, look for ways to help them succeed.39. Manage UpwardBy simply waiting around to be told what to do by your higher-ups, you seem like a follower- not a respectable leader. Instead, learn to tell your boss what you need to get your job done well. Youll improve your performance and command your boss respect. Check out some tips for learning this elusive skill here.40. Dont ComplainAre you tired after a long day, an d still have more to do? Are you sick of one menial task you seem to be stuck with? Never whine about it, at least not in the workplace. Having a positive attitude about your work is critical to making other people think highly of you. And if you really have a problem with something? See if you can come up with a proactive way to solve it.41. Get Out in the WorldPeople will hold you in higher regard if you dont just do your job in a vacuum. So make sure to stay up with the latest and greatest in your industry. Go to events and conferences, and report back on what you learned. Get meetings with experts, and maybe even bring them in to talk to your team. Read relevant articles and share them around to help others.42. Question YourselfGreat leaders are good at self-reflection. Check on yourself regularly with questions like these and always be looking for ways to be better.

What Employers Do About Employees Surfing the Web at Work

What Employers Do About Employees Surfing the Web at WorkWhat Employers Do About Employees Surfing the Web at WorkEmployees spend between one and three hours a day surfing the web on personal geschftlicher umgang at work, depending on the study reviewed. Since fruchtwein studies depend on employee self-reported data, this productivity loss, combined with the concerns employers have for where their employees are surfing the web at work, causes mora employers to decide to monitor employee use of the world wide web. Employees shop, do banking, visit sports sites, pay bills, chat on Facebook, tweet on Twitter, and more. With fruchtwein employees, these are occasional activities that they pursue on breaks and lunch. If they do spend a few minutes of work time, they likely make up for it answering schmelzglas after the kids go to bed. Abuse of Internet Usage at Work But, a small percentage of employees abuse the privilege of internet usage at work. In one company, a disgruntled supervi sor was spending 6-7 hours a day doing everything from job searching to looking up recipes, shopping, and downloading coupons. In another, an employee changed the position of his computer, making the view of its screen impossible by anyone except the employee. This raised the suspicions of the IT staff so they viewed his internet usage. They found that the employee was downloading and watching pornographic movies. So, sometimes employers worst fears are justified when employees abuse internet usage at work. In this second example, if the employer had remained unaware that the employee was viewing porn, the employer could have been put in the position of a potential lawsuit for sexual harassment or a hostile work environment claim. Neither would have been welcomed, so the employer let the employee go. (The employers internet usage policy spelled out clearly the conditions under which they would terminate an employee.) Employer Surveillance of Employees Surfing the Web at Work Emp loyers who block access to employees surfing the web at work are concerned about employees visiting adult sites with sexual, romantic, or pornographic content game sites social networking sites entertainment sites shopping/auction sites and sports sites. In addition, some companies use internetadresse blocks to stop employees from visiting external blogs. Others block access to sites such as Facebook at work. Depending on the company, computer monitoring takes many forms some employers track content, keystrokes, and time spent at the keyboard some store and review computer files others monitor the blogosphere to see what is being written about the company by employees, and others monitor social media networking sites. Of the companies that monitor email, some use technology tools to automatically monitor email and others assign an employee to manually read and review email. Why Employers Are Monitoring Employees Surfing the Web at Work Employers believe this employee surveillanc e is necessary for employee productivity, legal reasons, the safety of company information, and to prevent an environment of harassment. According to Manny Avramidis, senior vice president of global human resources for the AMA There are primary reasons why employers monitor employee Internet behavior at work, depending on the organization and its employees. Employee productivity is key. Some companies will say that trade secret issues are important, not necessarily because employees intentionally share company information, but employees may not realize the importance to competitors of such items as new product features and organization charts. Intranet sites share information employers dont want outsiders to know because of competition and the need to beat competitors to market. Other companies are concerned about fraud as far as data security, making sure information is not being stolen. Some companies will say safety and productivity are their key concerns which may involve monito ring employee drehort via GPS global positioning satellite, video cameras in production work areas, and security guards to check IDs and the contents of items brought to work. And, other employers will cite potential liability because they have been burned in the courts. Most organizations have some capital to monitor and its fairly cheap to do it. So they do. More Employer Concerns About Surfing the Web at Work In addition to the concern about the kinds of sites employees are visiting at work for these reasons, a number of additional concerns motivate employers to monitor employees surfing the web at work. Litigation is a serious issue to employers said Nancy Flynn, executive director of The ePolicy Institute and author ofThe ePolicy Handbook, 2nd Edition (AMACOM, 2008) and other internet-related books. According to SHRM (accessed 1-11-18- you must be a member), In this age of digital information, business managers, HR professionals, IT professionals and legal professionals mus t work closely together to develop policies and procedures related to employment record-keeping. In the event of employment-related litigation, a thorough search will likely be done of an employers electronic records. Electronic data include e-mail, web pages, word processing files, computer databases and any other information that is stored on a computer and that exists in a medium that can be read only through the use of computers. It can also include electronic trails left behind, such as when a manager adds or deletes text to a performance review, the formulas employees used for making spreadsheet calculations or edits to a memorandum and other unintentionally stored data. Electronic data are becoming increasingly important in legal proceedings. Consultation with legal counsel about electronic data storage, retention and destruction is especially important since the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure- Rule 34 was amended specifically to address discovery rules for electronically s tored information. According to Avramidis There are more and more employers placing employee computer use under surveillance because the technology is becoming cheaper and cheaper. No matter how you feel about it, employers that dont monitor will become fewer and fewer, not to nail employees, but because monitoring increasingly makes business sense. Its only going to become more and more significant in America. Employees really need to read and be aware of policies. Employers should establish policies to be clear with employees about their employment relationship. A policy acts as a deterrent. In Florida, as an example, it is not unusual to park police cars by the road over-night as a deterrent to motorists speeding. Where employers often fall short is that they tell employees that they will be monitored but they dont describe exactly what behavior is expected or not expected. To explain exactly what their expectations are about the policy is important. Educating the employees and e xplaining the definition of what is fair and acceptable internet and email use annually is recommended. While an increasing number of states and jurisdictions are requiring employers to notify employees of electronic monitoring, the majority of employers are doing a good job of alerting employees when they are being watched. Most employers inform employees that the company is monitoring content, keystrokes and time spent at the keyboard and most let employees know that the company reviews their computer use. Most also alert employees to email monitoring. Should You Monitor Employees? Despite this increase, the monitoring of employee time and use online is a signal of distrust and incongruent with an employee-oriented culture that regards employees as the chief assets of the company. If fewer than one percent of employees, according to some reports, abuse their work day and employertrustonline, why make 100 percent of employees feel uncomfortable and distrusted? So, the practice ofelectronically monitoring employeesat work has strong pros and cons. Electronic surveillance of employees at work can yield results that are beneficial to the employer in controlling abuse. They can protect an employers interests in a lawsuit- or not- depending on the nature of the situation. But, there are powerful reasons why an employer might not want to use employee internet monitoring. Avramidis says that this decision depends on the company and the work environment an employer wants to create Depending on the level of freedom allowed in a company or the type of employer, electronic surveillance of employees may not be desirable. Companies that employ new college grads, who have absolutely blurred lines, and are online all day, are an example. In fact, 99 percent of the population will be fine without electronic surveillance fewer than 1 percent of employees are causing the damage that allows all of the badeanstalt stuff for employers to kick in. On days like Cyber Monday, Bl ack Friday, the NCAA championships, and other popular events, employers might be tempted to overreact to employees shopping and watching games online. And, employees may feel as if they need to sneak and cheat to do their internet activities. But, a healthy balance benefits all parties. Employers may want to think twice about developing and implementing policies that forbid all personal online computer use during the work day with employees who are still answering emails at 8 p.m. at night. Employees must also practice reasonable internet use for personal shopping and the like at work. Few employers will quibble over a few minutes to place an order, but many deservedly object to an employee comparing prices online for half the workday. It would behoove employees, to understand their employers internet, email, and computer policies and expectations. Over half of all employers surveyed had fired employees for email and Internet abuse. Employers who have fired workers for email misuse did so for these reasons violation of a company policy inappropriate or offensive language excessive personal use or breach of company confidentiality rules. Know your employers policies about the internet and email use. Because the percentage of employers monitoring computer behavior is rising every year, what you dont know or pay attention to could hurt your standing with your employer. Most employers dont mind some or a small amount of computer use for personal business at work. You need to know how your employer defines some. Alternatives to Employee Monitoring Its a choice every company has to make. And, more and more companies are choosing to monitor employees and their online use. I dont recommend employee internet monitoring. I do recommend the following actions to create an organizational environment in which employees dont abuse their employers trust. Develop a solidinternet and email policythat provides employees withclear expectationsabout the employers stance on per sonal time online at work. This policy can broadly forbid certain activities and site visitations without making employees feel like criminals. The policy can emphasize responsibility, faith, professional confidence, and trust.Communicate the policy using lots of examples so that employees are not confused about their requirements. Continuously communicate your expectations and address employees who take advantage of their employers time individually.If an employees productivity or contribution slips, communicate with the employee to determine if online use is affecting performance. Useprogressive disciplinewith employees who repeatedly violate your expectations and trust. Train your managers and supervisors about how to establish and maintain the expectations and policies of your workplace. Train them to recognize when an employee might be abusing internet time or sites at work.The IT staff, in the example above, had been given clear guidance and training about what to watch for in potential cases of internet abuse. Rather than monitoring all employee activity online, they selectively monitored when they thought a potential problem might exist.Develop and maintain a culture of trust. Developing an environment in which employees self-monitor personal online time at work is the most effective approach. Deal with employees who are over the line on a case-by-case basis.Dont burden the majority of your hard-working employees with overly burdensome policies because of the actions of a few. Get rid of the few. zugreifbar abuse of time does occur in workplaces. But, employee internet monitoring is an overbroad reaction to the activities of a small percentage of employees. It contributes to an environment in which employees feel untrusted. It encouragessneakybehavioron the part of employees. It causes employees to waste energy worrying about whether what they are doing is okay or not, and it encourages a 9 to 5 mentality. Anemployer of choicefinds alternatives to emp loyee internet monitoring.

6 Tricks Companies Use to Sell to Women

6 Tricks Companies Use to Sell to Women6 Tricks Companies Use to Sell to WomenAccording to a report published by Nielsen, their estimated combined purchasing power ranges from $5 trillion to $15 trillion annually, and theyre expected to control two-thirds of consumer wealth within the next 10 years. Marketers are taking aim squarely at women, with an arsenal of tricks aimed at getting them to open their purses and spend big. Knowing what theyre up to gives you the necessary ammunition to protect yourself. They Guilt Trip You A lot of marketing works on guilt, says Martin Lindstrom, branding expert, neuromarketing consultant and author of Small Data. That particular emotion is more effective in influencing womens wallets than it is for mens. Why? Research published in the Spanish Journal of Psychology shows women, quite simply, feel more guilt, largely because theyre socially conditioned to. Lindstrom says the guilt-trip works for two reasons. The first is emotional in that whatev er product or tafelgeschirr you buy will make you feel like a better mother, a better wife, or a better friend. The second is rational and focuses on the practicality of the product or service in that it will solve a specified problem like the lack of time in your schedule. They Infiltrate Your Feed How often do you check your Instagram? Nearly two-thirds of users are on the platform daily, and more than one-third of those make multiple pit-stops every day, according to the Pew Research Center. Keeping up with the Joneses has never been easier - and more addicting. It brings with it the pressureto spend. Social channels give you the ability to compare yourself to everyone across every dimension, explains Lindstrom. The result is that the drive to have that Instagram-worthy life has never been greater.? Advertisers know this, of course, and now pay celebrities and social influencers (i.e. people who have large social followings) to promote products and services through their soc ial channels. It can be tricky to tell fact from fiction (hashtags like ad and spon are supposed to alert you to paid-for posts but they arent always present). One thing thats clear is that more women are looking and liking. Among Internet users, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram are the top three social media platforms, and women participate more than men. They Create Context When marketing to women, advertisers are more likely to add context to the products use. This encourages you to mull on what the product would look like incorporated into your own life - and once you take possession of it in that (albeit imaginary) way, it shortens the purchasing process. They Promise to Turn Back the Clock Is there a fountain of youth? For marketers, there certainly is. With people begging for more hours in a day and trying to defy the effects of aging, it isnt surprising that research shows the more you use the word time or reference to it in an advertisement, it converts straight to sales, says Lindstrom. They Shrink the Size of Package Have you noticed certain beverages and products getting smaller? For instance, soft drink companies noticed women werent buying the full cans of soda anymore, because of the health concerns associated with them. The solution? Design smaller cans for women so they wouldnt feel as guilty, says Lindstrom. Consumers now pay more for less, and its working. Earlier this year, Coke announced that sales of its smaller packages (i.e. 8-packs of 12-ounce bottles and 7.5-ounce cans) continue to rise, while the sales of its larger bottles and cans continue to fall. They Bring Out Your Inner Huntress Women subconsciously want to hund for a good deal, explains Lindstrom. The hunt is about feeling rewarded. To enable this behavior, stores purposely mess up their tables and hide products. If you have two tables next to each other - one thats neat versus one thats messy - the messy table sells 17 percent more, he says. You get even more competitive when shopping with a girlfriend, spending up to 12% more. Thats why its best to hunt alone. Music also comes into play, here. According to Lindstrom, if the beat is slower than the heartbeat rate, women buy 29% more. Research shows youre more likely to walk slower and therefore spend more time in the store. One way to avoid overspending altogether is to find all of the products you want to buy, leave them and then come back a day later. The dopamine reaction you initially had when you first saw the products is lower the second time around. The result? Half of those products will remain in the store.