It’s back to school time, kids. Finally, you parents can return to a schedule without teenager late nights in the middle of the week or requests to go to the pool during your conference call.
We can go back to being the grown-ups that we are.
Maybe. We all know that the office can be a replay of the playground or the middle school lunch table. But, it’s time to be the grown up there too.
Here are some signs that you are already there:
- You can have a great working relationship without being friends or having lunch. Not everyone has to be a good friend or someone you want to hang out with after work. It may even be better that way.
- You finally realize it’s not all about you. Yes, the business has to be profitable, others needs have to be considered and not everything happens on your timetable. This is an ensemble cast – not just your movie.
- Someone can disagree with you and it’s not a personal attack. It’s OK to agree to disagree. To each his own.
- Likewise, you can share your views without shutting down the room. Another point of view isn’t a reason to make it all about you. Learn how to give your opinion without pouting, yelling or derailing progress.
- You hear some juicy gossip about a coworker and you run and tell – no one. Don’t be a contributor to the office grapevine. It hurts your reputation more than theirs. And, you’ve known this since high school.
- You’ve learned to listen more than you talk. You don’t talk just to listen to your own voice. Less is more. And, you interviewers who ask the candidate two questions and then talk for 45 minutes, you’ve got it exactly backwards.
- When something goes wrong, you don’t throw everyone else under the bus. You can see your own mistakes or misses and don’t blame everyone else in sight. It’s a learning “opportunity,” remember? Repeat.
- You bask in the applause – of others. You can share credit and enjoy the successes of other team members. Look at that Jennifer doing amazing work!
- The highs aren’t too high and the lows aren’t too low. You know that there are both peaks and valleys. You don’t think you are super human after a success. And, when something goes wrong, you know it’s not the end of the world. Level it out and your coworkers will thank you for it.
- You get that the jokes you heard from your basketball buddies aren’t gonna work at the office. You know where to draw the line on jokes and how to conduct yourself at the office holiday party. It’s not worth it and you know it.
It’s OK to never want to grow up, but let’s keep middle school drama out of the office please. It’s so much easier for everyone.
Patti Johnson is the CEO of PeopleResults. Follow her on Twitter at @pattibjohnson or her company at @people_results.
