Presenter: State Senator Mark C. Jansen - serving the 28th District

February 17, 2012

(note rescheduled from 2/16/12)

Watermark Country Club
7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

More details to come.

How many times have you thought to yourself "they are so professional" or "how unprofessional"?  Professionalism is one of those terms for which everyone has their own definition.  Three categories to consider are courtesy, appearance, and grammar.

Common Courtesy

It's amazing and somewhat sad, but in today's world, if you use common courtesy with others (employers, fellow employees, and businesses) you stand out in the crowd.

• Say Thank You
  Saying please and thank you, I'm sorry, you're welcome (just what we learned from our parents) creates a great impression
• Be Respectful to Everyone You Meet
  It doesn't matter who you meet, be respectful.  Listen, show empathy, and make people feel important.
• Respect People's Time
  Most everyone has too much to do and too little time.  Be on time.  Being late is disrespectful - period.  Honor people's time.

Professional Appearance

Your appearance offers people a first impression.  You don't have to be a fashion plate.  You do have to dress neatly and cleanly.  I interviewed a gentleman once who reeked of smoke.  I don't remember anything about the interview except what he smelled like.  Appearance tells a story about you before you say a word.  Make sure it's the story you want people to experience.

Sloppy Speech Habits

Your appearance may be outstanding.  But how you sound is often more important.  Careless speech habits can erase a positive reaction in a nano second.  Here are five common language mistakes and how to keep them from sabotaging the impression you are trying to make.

• Non words:  Filler words such as "um," "ah," "you know," "OK," or "like" tell someone you're not prepared and not very articulate.  Think before you speak, taking pauses and breaths when you lose your train of thought.  Everybody utters an occasional "um" but don't let it start every sentence.
• "Up-talk": A singsong or rising inflection at the end of every sentence creates a tentative impression and makes it sound as though you're asking a question instead of making a definitive statement.  You need to speak with conviction.
• Grammatical Errors:  This one is my personal "favorite".  When I hear poor grammar, I form an impression that the person is not educated.  Break the slang habit by speaking correctly everywhere -not just at work.
• Speed talking:  A rapid speaking rate is difficult to follow, and speed talkers are seen as nervous.  Don't be afraid of silence.  Pausing is an effective communication technique.  A person needs a few seconds to process what you just said anyway.
• Weak speak:  Wimpy words modify or water down your conviction and in the end, your position.  When you pepper a conversation with "hopefully," "perhaps," "I feel," "kind of," and "sort of," the message you convey is a lack of confidence.  The language you use gives the listener an impression about your level of confidence and conviction.

Join Lynne on May 9, 2012, for her seminar Business Professionalism: How What You Say and Do Builds Your Image.  This seminar will explore the essentials of good interpersonal communication and professionalism in the workplace. She will discuss tools and strategies to better communicate your professionalism and continue to build a positive image.

It's the beginning of another year, another opportunity for HR to set their vision and chart the path toward achieving all those goals for the year.  Contact any of our TEA staff and let us help you make 2012 the year of accomplishment!

Consider just a few of the ways TEA can help you accomplish more:

Handbooks - have you scheduled yours to be reviewed by our staff?  Do you know when it was last done?  Our recommendation (based on the speed of legislative changes) would be approximately every two years.

HR Department Audits - with legislative and administrative changes on the horizon, can you afford to question (do you even have the time) whether your procedures and your recordkeeping are up to date and in keeping with the laws?  Let TEA conduct an HR Audit and find out just how well you are functioning.

Networking - hoping to do more this year?  TEA has several opportunities you can take advantage of that will help get you out and meet more of your peers in the community.  Consider joining one of our four (4) HR practitioner roundtables, or our Safety roundtable.  We also have the HRG meetings you can take advantage of.  And of course any of our classes or seminars are great networking times (along with learning).

What else is on your list of things to accomplish in 2012?  Putting together a sound compensation structure? Seeking input with an employee engagement survey? Committing to self-development with the help of a TEA Coach or Mentor? Upgrading your group's skills through specialized training? Give us your list and we'll gladly help you make it all happen, and make 2012 the most accomplished year of your professional life!