Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 15, 1994 TAG: 9405170014
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: F4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Camille Wright Miller
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A. When you are in a meeting and someone offers a new idea that is being well-received, pay as much attention to how the person presents as to what is being presented. Does the successful presenter maintain eye contact with others? Does he or she use brief notes to help stay focused? What body language is being used? Does the presenter lean forward and use expressive hand movements? Model your behavior after success.
Monitor word choice as well. Avoid disclaimers such as "This may not work ..." or "I'm not an expert, but ..." Disclaimers prefacing a statement reduce its effectiveness.
Tag questions also reduce your credibility. Little questions at the end of ideas make you appear to be asking permission. Tags suggest you aren't in full control of your material. Examples include "isn't it?," "right?" and "OK?" Credibility is also reduced when a slight inflection occurs at the end of a sentence, turning a statement into a question.
Watch your body language, monitor your speech for weakening words and phrases, and work from notes to stay focused. Practice presentations at home in front of a mirror and evaluate how well you present. Practice and attention to details should pay off.
Q. Everyone talks about networking, but I'm still not clear on how helpful networking would be to my career.
A. Larry Lynch, chairman of business administration and economics at Roanoke College, firmly believes the old adage, "It's not what you know, it's who you know." He defines networking as expanding the "who you know" and as an invaluable tool for a successful career path.
Networking, according to Lynch, is "a give-and-take situation that can offer advancement and new career opportunities otherwise unavailable." He has observed that many top job opportunities come through networks. Successful job candidates are, he notes, often nominated by executives who have observed the nominee in various, often noncorporate, settings.
Networking happens best in groups or associations that support projects that will allow others to see you in action. For example, Lynch views active membership in professional associations, community boards and organizations like Rotary or Jaycees as places where you can demonstrate your abilities and become acquainted with professionals from other companies. Get involved in projects and committees and stay active as a way of showing your talent.
Lynch advises the reader to "maintain a network as large as you can reasonably handle." As companies continue to downsize and the work world changes, having a strong network is part of a good career strategy.
Q. I continue to hear and read about sexual harassment. I worry about even talking with someone of the opposite sex at the office. How can I have a normal working environment without being concerned about everything I say or do?
A. Keep some simple guidelines in mind and you can stop worrying. First, the work environment should be viewed as a no-touching zone. Touching someone on the shoulder may seem harmless to some, but others find it uncomfortable. Better to avoid any question.
Sexual jokes will be poorly received and have no place in the office. One joke won't have you in an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission action, but you'll develop a respected reputation if you avoid them. Wisdom declares that any suggestive posters, pictures or magazines be displayed in your home, not your office.
Demeaning remarks and behavior are to be avoided. This includes comments about clothes, comments about someone's looks or body, and suggestive posture. There is a big difference between, "That's a great suit" and "You look very sexy in that suit."
The best guideline is: Don't do or say anything you wouldn't want to do or say in front of a judge, a lawyer, your significant other and your parents.
Camille Wright Miller, an organizational behavior sociologist, answers questions from our readers about workplace issues. Please send them to her in care of the Roanoke Times & World-News Business News Department, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke 24010.
by CNB