"Treat others as you would like others to treat you."
The Golden Rule -- taught in schools and in houses of worship around the world. Often forgotten in the workplace. And a standard of interaction -- a modus operandi -- that builds teams, eliminates confusion and creates a positive, productive work environment. And as importantly a standard that fosters a great client-agency relationship.
How does this show up?
- Always Provide Context With Instruction: Always provide reasoning and context for instructions, due dates or projects so people understand what they're doing and why, this allows them to better do the work you've assigned. You probably don't like it when you don't know why you have to do something, so:
- a) make sure you always provide context -- especially if the instruction is different than orginally discussed; and
- b) ask for context if you don't have it.
- Always Give the Whole Picture: Most of us operate better when we understand the ultimate goal (see above bullet). When working together under deadlines, make sure your teammates have all the information they need (what else will preclude you from helping? what is your schedule? what resources do you need to accomplish your task?) so that project leads can plan accordingly. Nothing is more frustrating than adjusting a schedule to find out that that schedule won't work either because you didn't have the all the information.
- If You Have An Issue With Someone Tell Them First. He said, she said. She said, she said. He said, he said. Not constructive. If you have an issue with someone, find a quiet place to talk it out RESPECTFULLY. If you aren't getting to a good resolution, bring in someone else to moderate. The Reasonable Person Theory is put to test here. Be reasonable. Be respectful. Treat the other person like you want to be treated and resolution will come.
- Tell People When They Do Well. AND When They Can Improve. 'nuff said.
- Tell OTHER People When Someone Has Done Great Work. 'nuff said.
- Answer every inquiry with "How Can I Help You?" What if every time you needed something from somebody they said "How can I help you?" and they meant it? What if you said it every time someone came to you? What a difference this question makes.
- Never Say No. No immediately puts up a defense. If you think 'no" evaluate what you're thinking. Say, "let me get mull it over and get back to you." Say "interesting. Let me think about how to accomplish the goal." Say "cool idea. Let's knock it around the team and we'll come back to you with a plan." The answer might be "no" to the question presented. But there is usually a way to get to the goal that is actually YES to the intent and NO to the immediate action plan. Think Yes.
If we can treat our team mates and our clients the way we'd like to be treated, we will be so far ahead of the game that no one will be able to touch us -- in client service or in the workplace.
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