Processing TMI and Handling Your Own (10/19/2021) I am addicted to Facebook. It's how I keep in touch with old friends, post pictures, get my news and take useless but fun quizzes. Checking Facebook is baked into my morning ritual right after my inbox and how the futures are looking.
Pictures of all sorts, opinions on everything and anything, political and religious beliefs are there for all to see and comment on. Postings speak more to being (who I am) than behavior (what I do) and sometimes when it comes to business contacts and colleagues I really don't want to know.
Workplaces today have codes of business conduct that, among other things, serve to create a working environment free of polarizing views or differing beliefs so that the focus of the workforce is on what unites us - the work - rather than on what divides us. When you learn something about a co-worker that you didn't want to know how do you get past that? How do you un-ring the bell?
Can you un-ring the bell? I say yes. Handle new information and its impact as a change initiative:
- Understand the nature of the change. Your colleague is the same person he/she was before you had "too much info". The change is directly impacting you. Focus on your actions and on what you can control.
- Keep the focus on issues not individuals. Studies indicate that the greatest motivator at work is making progress. To move forward one must work through paralyzing reactions.
- Resist the urge to confront. Discussion is always an option if both parties are sure that there can be two-way constructive dialog outside of work.
Use your emotional intelligence:
- be self aware - recognize your emotions and their impact, and
- channel those impacts into positive action rather than dwelling on your discomfort.
- Have social awareness. If the situation were reversed and your colleague learned something about you - How would that go? What would you expect?
- Utilize your social skills. Learn from what you're feeling and use it to make you a better leader and communicator.
The key take away here is this: use social media platforms wisely and to your best advantage; think about to whom you are reaching out and what you are sharing. Re-read what you are sharing before you memorialize your sentiments. If you'd like to talk more about your online profile
contact Beth.
It's Halloween time and after last year I'm looking forward to it! Have a wonderful time Trick or Treating safely with friends and family and I'll talk to you next month. Happy Autumn!
Regards,
Beth
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