Appreciate & Communicate

Entry by Brittney Horn, Membership Intern, Greater Lafayette Commerce

No matter where you work, there is most likely going to be someone that you just don’t see eye-to-eye with.  Let’s face it – it’s inevitable that you aren’t going to get along with every single person you meet in your entire life.  In the work place, it is even more prone to happen because you are surrounded by the same people for at least 40 hours a week.

Unless if you are one of those “I get along with everyone all the time no matter what” kinds of people (which is rare, and if you are one of those people, I congratulate you) you will experience feelings of frustration with other co-workers.  These feelings happen especially when you don’t understand where the other person is coming from.  This can happen often when you work with people with different types of jobs. Where I intern, no one person does the same kind of job. We all have different tasks and jobs that we are solely in charge of and don’t have to consult someone else for approval.

There are times though, when we must all work together and that’s when it gets hairy. What I feel is most important is great communication with everyone you work with. (And no, I’m not just saying this because I majored in Communication and think that it is what rules the world…though it does but I digress).  Without communication, you might as well throw productivity out the window and forget about getting anything accomplished.

When you have to work with a group of people, which you most likely will at some point during your career/internship/classes, etc., it is essential to clearly communicate from the beginning.  Set down ground rules, let each person talk about their needs, divide up tasks according to who excels at what, and most importantly, LISTEN.  None of this talking and communicating will matter unless you listen to what others are saying!  Try to understand where the other person is coming from so you can help them accomplish what they need to as well.  Appreciation of what others are doing will help others appreciate what you are doing.  So next time you’re at a group meeting, you better appreciate and communicate!