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Alertness In Business
vs. carelessness
Being aware of what is taking place around me so I can respond appropriately
To practice Alertness I will:
- tell others of danger
- keep my eyes and ears open
- recognize and heed warning signals
- stay away from unsafe places
- choose to do right before I’m tempted
“On the Job Alertness”
-Jill Tomey
Being alert on the job takes many forms. Coffee and energy drinks provide morning jolts or afternoon wake ups. Fitness bands tell us when we have sat at our desk too long and phone alarms remind us of meetings and appointments. But what keeps us alert in our business relationships?
Most of us spend a good portion of our day with co-workers, customers, or vendors, either in person, on the phone or other digital and virtual means. How would we rate our relationships with these people? How different would they rate our relationship with them?
Are you alert when co-workers need help without asking for it? Help can come in many forms. It can be an encouraging word, an expressed gratitude, a listening ear, or assistance or advice on a task. Are you alert for when you need to ask for help and do you accept it graciously if it is offered?
Are you alert to the tone of your voice when you are giving or receiving an assignment? What do your facial expressions say about you? If you had to place a ratio on positive comments versus negative comments, which would have the most?
This month, practice Alertness with the people you interact with daily.