Response Paper: Self in the Workplace
Success at any workplace is not an abstract occurrence but rather takes a combination of abilities, skills, and knowledge necessary to guarantee such success. As an employee, I have greatly excelled at my workplace due to my strong work ethics, strict time management and embracement of a team spirit.
I understand pretty well that organizational goals are set targets that require a collective approach from all employees. As a result, therefore, we are strongly working as a team and not as an individual; I prefer pooling my contribution alongside those from other colleagues for the sake of organizational goals. Hence, embracing team spirit has greatly helped me interact and cordially work with my colleagues. Working alongside others also offers room for on-job learning and training which further adds to the overall skills as held by an individual (Handy, 2000).
My professional knowledge has also kept me moving at my workplace. A well-trained employee develops sufficient confidence to attend to all tasks as enclosed in the job description. On the other hand, an unqualified employee is likely to make mistakes and even lacks composure to execute his or her duties. I strongly believe that having excelled in my professional training is one factor that gives me confidence and boosts my morale to work on various tasks at my job place. In the same regard, I am always willing to take criticism as well as widely consult on matters I might not be so sure about and therefore makes very few mistakes.
I also observe a strict adherence to work ethics and behavior. Work ethics are the personal behaviors as viewed about the organizational rules and regulations (Hase, 2009). I strive to observe all the rules and regulations as stipulated by the company. I also understand my boundaries as an employee and rarely go beyond such limits unless acting on delegated authority. As if not enough, I do understand that every person deserves respect, regardless of the hierarchical position in the organization. In my opinion, adherence to work ethics keeps everything simple and moving and hence almost making the workplace a second home.
Perceptions held by others about me
According to the Johari Windows concepts, it is often good to evaluate individual abilities and knowledge about the perceptions held by others about you. At my workplace, my colleagues think I am hardworking and industrious, a team player and leader as well as social and approachable. My colleagues tend to have a perception that my great understandings of the job contents alongside the experience I hold have turned me into a hard working employee who works for nothing but perfection. The notion amongst my workmates that I am industrious and hardworking also emanates from my love for my job. I have developed a special liking for my profession to the extent that I always enjoy every aspect of my job.
My colleagues at the workplace are also of the opinion that I am a great team player and team leader. Perhaps this is because I have successfully managed several projects at my workplace from inception to completion with minimal challenges. A leader is someone who understands people on what they are and slowly molds them into what they ought to be (Luft, &, Ingham, 2011). Whenever asked to lead my colleagues, I always lay bare my expectations and take the initiative to get the team working towards the said targets. The fact that my leadership style involves incorporation of every member’s opinions thus makes my colleagues develop perceptions that I am a great team leader.
Being approachable at my workplace is another perception held by a significant section of my workmates about me. Many people at my workplace are so frank with me and often confide in me. Being sociable and approachable are two attributes that have been key in my ever growing relationships with my peers and friends. I always give an open ear whenever required to as well as give honest opinions of every situation depending on my evaluation. I, therefore, strongly side with my colleagues when they say that I am not only sociable but approachable.
Are perceptions held by others accurate?
I am very convinced that my colleagues hold accurate perceptions about my personality and conduct at my workplace due to many reasons. For instance, the fact that I am social and approachable is evident in the manner in which a large number of my colleagues freely interact with me. In some instances, I have come to learn that most new employees prefer being inducted by me. Some them claim that I do not only take the induction process as an introduction to the workplace procedures but also turn out to be a great mentor and a model to emulate.
I can also attest to my colleagues’ perception that I am a great team player because, on most occasions, I have been unanimously proposed to lead in any team event or task I am assigned to carry out. It points towards a notion that my colleagues believe in my ability not only to lead but also coordinate team efforts towards a common objective. Furthermore, I rarely experience any form of resistance or backlashes from my teammates, an indicator that they are always comfortable with my approach to leadership roles and style.
Conclusion
Indeed, my self-perception at the workplace is a combination of various skills, abilities and knowledge that have kept me on a positive note in my entire career life. Besides, professional competence and adherence to the core ethical standards have positively catapulted me to the right direction of success. Moreover, it is because of my abilities that my colleagues hold positive remarks about me. For example, most people view me as hardworking, a team player, and an approachable person. These perceptions held by others about me are accurate and hold the basic truth of my capability and ingenuity of character.
References
Handy, C. (2000). 21 Ideas for Managers San Fransisco: Jossey- Bass.
Hase, S, (2009). The Johari Window and the Dark Side of the Organizations. Southern Cross University
Luft, J.,&, Ingham, H, (2011). “The Johari Window, a graphic model of interpersonal awaress”. Proceedings of the western training laboratory in group development. Los Angeles: University of carlofornia, Los Angeles
