Avoid these business images at all costs

Business image is determined by others based on verbal and nonverbal communication skills.

During conflict situations, it is easy to sabotage your efforts toward a successful business image. When a dispute arises, your knowledge, expertise and deep core beliefs will create an automatic thought. Unless you stop and find out the facts, you will contrive an unsubstantiated catastrophe and react inappropriately. Problem solving is one way to prevent this from happening.

First, define the problem. Determine if it is a real issue. Brainstorm solutions without censorship. For each idea, decide the positive and negative consequences and choose a solution. Remove any barriers and write a goal statement. Ascertain a specific date to re-evaluate your decision and then implement any changes as necessary.

If you choose not to use any of the six fact-determination techniques that have been discussed in this series, you will behave in an unsuitable manner, and the recipient of the behavior will perceive one of three poor business images.

1. The caped villain. The first poor image is that of the villain in a black-and-white 1920s movie. Nonverbally, you might as well put on a Sherlock Holmes cape, tie the receiver to the railroad tracks and hold a bomb with a lit fuse in front of his face. You think he is incompetent and you are better than he is in some area that you have defined. You believe your wants and needs are more important than his. It would be a catastrophe to not get your own way.

To transform your behavior, stop and look at the facts. His wants and needs are just as important as yours. He is worthy of respect with opinions to be valued. The childhood belief that you are the center of the universe is ineffective as an adult. You should utilize active listening skills and determine the root cause of the problem. Remember that mistakes can be fixed. Talk in a nonthreatening, concerned manner and use “I” instead of “you” messages.

2. Superman. The second poor business image occurs when you exchange your suit for a Superman outfit. You think you must rescue another person. You believe he is incompetent, you are better than him in some area and your wants and needs are more important than his. You will educate him about his problems and then take care of them. If he resists your rescue efforts, you will change into the villain’s clothes and begin those behaviors. It would be a catastrophe if you could not “fix” him.

To change, modify your thoughts and deep core beliefs. You are a separate individual. His wants and needs are important to him, so let him live his life. He is worthy of respect, and it is disrespectful to treat him as incompetent, give unsolicited feedback and control his life.

3. The cartoon coward. For the third insufficient business image, picture yourself as a scared cartoon character surrounded by yellow, squiggly lines, indicating you are a coward shaking in your boots. You think you are a victim unable to care for yourself. You will not take responsibility for your own actions. Worry and procrastination are constant companions. You blame the state of your current affairs on others. You believe your needs and wants are unimportant. It would be a catastrophe if someone did not like you.

However, the truth is that you are not a child anymore; you can solve your own problems. It is immature to think everyone has to like you. Your wants and needs are just as important as someone else’s, and that is not selfish thought.

To avoid being one of these three characters, determine the facts in any business situation and behave accordingly.

Lynne Haggerman is president/owner of Haggerman & Associates, a firm specializing in management training, retained search, outplacement and human resource consulting. She can be reached at lynne@haggermanandassociates.com.[[In-content Ad]]