Chapter4.image
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This document discusses the importance of image and professionalism. It defines image as how others perceive you based on your appearance, behavior, posture, and voice. Maintaining a professional image is important for three reasons: taking pride in your work, earning others' respect, and opportunities for career success. The key aspects of a professional are their attitude, attire, character, work ethic, competency, and keeping a well-organized work area. Following etiquette rules is also important for positive interactions with coworkers and customers.
Chapter4.image
- 1. PSYC 126 PERSONALITY ENHANCEMENT Chapter 4 IMAGE Perception – process of attaining awareness or understanding based on sensoryinformation—andimmediate reaction of the senses. Image – the set of qualities and characteristics that represent perceptions of you as judged by others. Appearance – wardrobe; facialexpression; the condition of your hair and hands;your overall fitness; your posture when walking, sitting, and standing; whether you have tattoos or body piercings; and your behavior. - Is the finished product of how you look when you walk out the door to attend class, go to a social function withfriends, meet a first date, interview for a job, or leave for work. Behavior o Appreciate the needs of others andtreat others with respect. o Use good manners, including proper table etiquette. o Always strive to be polite and courteous. o Respect the privacy of others. o Control you temper. Posture o Confident people walk tall, sit up straight, and stand erect. o Confidence shows up as a comfortably erect posture without too much effort. Voice o Pitch – how high or low your voice sounds. o Volume – howloud or soft your voice sounds. o Inflection – rising and falling of your voice o Enunciation – pronouncing all the sounds in a word clearly. o Pronunciation – saying a word correctly. o Vocabulary– sum ofwords usedby, understood by, or at the commandof a particular person or group. Three reasons you shouldstrive to be a professional and act in a professional manner in the workplace: 1. Taking pride in you work 2. Earning the respect of others 3. Beingrewarded with opportunities for further success HOW DO YOU SPOT A PROFESSIONAL? 1. Attitude Professionals are team players Professionals recognize organizational structure and individual roles Professionals are persistent and determined Professionals want to be helpful to others Professionalsare always onthe lookout for unmet needs Professionals use good judgment. 2. Attire Dressing appropriatelyis necessaryfor success in every line of work. Appropriate dress differs based on the occupation, location, andcompany preference. Select your wardrobe for the workplace with care. Feel comfortable about the way you look. 3. Character and Work Ethic Character, which refers to your personal qualitiesor personal traits, goes hand in hand with work ethic. Work ethic is a set ofvalues based onthe virtues of hard work, diligence, and caring about your work and your coworkers. Trustworthiness is a signal to others that you are dependable. Honestyincludes being sincere, honorable, fair, and genuine. Responsibility is being accountable for your conduct and obligations. Diligence means conscientiously giving total attention to each task you are given. 4. Competency Professionalswork toward excellence in their fieldof work. Theycontinually find new, better, and faster methods of doing their work. 5. Work Area Your work area, like your personal appearance, says a lot about you. The arrangement of your work area affects your efficiency and productivity. Etiquette refers to the customs or rules of behavior regarded as correct in social and work life. Etiquette in the workplace focuseson rules of conduct (written or unwritten) designed to facilitate interactions between coworkers, customers, supervisors, and suppliers. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. Obey company rules and regulations. Be on time. Watch your language Etiquette in the Electronic Age Avoid making andreceiving personal calls during business hours.
- 2. Take care when working withconfidential information to make sure that it is not accidentallyavailable to wandering eyes. Work-related e-mail correspondence should be professional. POINTS TO REMEMBER: Perceptionis the immediate reaction from the senses. Others form opinions about your competency, character, conduct, and attitude basedontheir initial perception of you. Your image is one ofyour most important assets. Image includes personal appearance, behavior, posture, and voice. Build the image you want to project to others first by determining what others thinkof you. Askdirect questions that will provide specific information that may be of benefit to you. Reasons for having a professional image inthe workplace are:Pride from withinwhena job is completedto the best of your ability, the highregard in which others holdyou as a professional, and potential opportunities that could come your wayas a result ofdemonstrating professional qualities. Professionals are identified by their attitude, attire, character, work ethic, competency, and work area. Character and work ethic include the qualities of trustworthiness, honesty, responsibility, and diligence. Reference: Masters, L.A., et al. (2011). Personal Development for Work and Life. Cengage Learning Asia Pte. Ltd. Prepared by: Mrs. Maria Angela L. Diopol Instructor