Be it a student or an employee/manager, we come across many situations which are taken for granted in our day to day interactions with others. These may seem trivial in nature, but paying a little attention to these apparently minor issues can show how people’s attitude towards you changes for good.
1: Interrupting a conversation: Two persons are in discussion (official or personal, it doesn’t matter) and I need to talk to one of them. I often get impatient here and barge into their conversation, thereby breaking their train of thought process on whatever subject they were conversing. This interruption will leave the original conversation in the air and may never find a finish. I can always wait a few moments before I start by letting them finish with what they started. If so urgent, can say “Excuse me, shall I interrupt you for a few seconds?”
2: Smiling or greeting people: There is a tendency in some of us to look down or keep the eyes focused somewhere and ignore the person who is coming opposite us or even face to face. Smiling and showing a sign of acknowledgement towards the other person who is walking or standing near you is a great way of expressing your attitude towards life itself.
3: Vociferous talking: Two or three people talking or discussing. The modulation can be adjusted to the level audible to the group we are addressing. Should we disturb others who are not involved in it?
4: Answering not to the question: This happens so often with some people, we are not ready to listen and we are preoccupied with our own thoughts and the answer will have no relevance with the question asked. This may lead to asking further questions for getting clarity or leaving it unanswered. Getting a bigger picture of the question is very important.
5: Telling lies on the face: Lying is taken for granted by many. If it does not affect anybody and is for the betterment of the other person, lying is not that much bad. On the other hand, it hurts!
6: Committing that I will do it now, but never does: I will come right away or I will send the email or material right now. Saying is easy but doing things needs some conviction. If you promise that you will do, please do it. If not immediately at least within an acceptable time limit. But not doing it is bad and repeatedly if it happens, others will lose confidence on you.
7: To keep my head high, no need to put others heads down: Complaining in the absence of the person concerned is telling in an indirect way that I am better than that person.
Remember this: Conduct yourself to others as you wish others to do it for you.
Sherin M John
IT & Systems Faculty,
Thiagarajar School of Management, Madurai