I'm LATE!

Sounds straight forward isn't it? We've been taught how to be on time and that tardiness isn't a polite manner. We've been accustomed to this norm throughout our education to teach us that with such tardiness, comes consequence. That feeling of asking for a late slip or attending detention as a kid was not fun! Now that you're old enough to work, being late is a huge deal! It means not getting paid the amount of hours if you were on time. But that is just being generous. This can lead to being laid off and potentially harm your records if they do get passed to your next job if you ever get one!


Why is it important?
Being on time to many people is simple as running operations smoothly. If one person is late, sometimes the job can't be done at all! The team depends on you to be on time so that everything goes as planned. Don't be self centred and remember that there is a sense of responsibility.

Time tells us about how much we care about the situation or person. Some cultures may view it as rude or just perfectly normal.


Solutions?
You've most likely heard of this many times in school. "why don't you plan ahead of time? Why didn't you do this earlier?" This is true! But sometimes it's being late can't be helped. Just remember that there has to be a legitimate reason to be late such as a death in the family. I have lost count the amount of times I heard people say "I was sick". It is best to plan ahead and be on time than leaving things last minute!






Scott J, (2010), Time and Translation [ONLINE]. Available at: http://translation-blog.trustedtranslations.com/time-and-translation-2010-12-27.html [Accessed 01 March 13].
Guffey, M. E., Rhodes, K., & Rogin, P. (2011). Business Communication process and product. Toronto: south-western.

Who are you looking at?

Don't you hate it when you're talking to someone and you're unsure whether they're even paying attention? Eye contact is one of the main factors to show how much a person can pay attention. It often gets annoying when people stare too much or not look at all when I'm talking to them. It's our society's norm that whenever someone's talking that you should be looking at them and engaged. Sometimes I just want to turn their head at me just to get their attention.

Ouch

The mentality of the speaker is that whenever a listener is not giving eye contact, they feel ignored! Now majority of the time this isn't the case, there are several factors why a person may not be giving eye contact but the main reason seems to be nervousness. 

Much like presenting in front of people, it is pretty difficult to maintain eye contact. But if you don't keep eye contact, the audience won't feel involved. Same goes with the audience if they are not looking at you they're simply not paying attention most of the time!



What Can I Do?

Ways that helped me get over the awkwardness of staring or not even looking at someone are:

1. practice looking at someone's forehead...it's a start
2. look to the side and back to break awkwardness
3. try not to stare too long
4. practice in front of a mirror
5. keep your head up 
6. try not to fiddle around

Norms
China for example would consider no eye contact to be a lot more respectful than staring at someone. They believe it may be a bit uncomfortable for some people especially females.

living well education, (2012), communication breakdown [ONLINE]. Available at:http://livingwelleducation.com/communication/index.html [Accessed 01 February 13].
Jeff Weaver, (2013), presentation [ONLINE]. Available at: http://www.headingfortheexits.com/the-hfte-guide-to-giving-effective-presentations/presentation/ [Accessed 01 March 13].
fullmetalcynic, (2012), POSTS TAGGED ‘CHINA’ [ONLINE]. Available at: https://fullmetalcynic.wordpress.com/tag/china/ [Accessed 02 March 13].
Guffey, M. E., Rhodes, K., & Rogin, P. (2011). Business Communication process and product. Toronto: south-western.

Where's my Space?

Space is a big part of how others would feel around you. It is the atmosphere and how comfortable a person may feel. I always feel more included when everyone is facing each other equally. This is where body language kicks in...

Arrangements
Facing your back when someone is talking isn't ideal especially when there's a formal meeting with your team. To feel more included, instead of sitting all in one row a simple circular placement is best. Others around you can feel equal from the enclosed space. Now imagine just a row of your team members. Don't you feel an unequal share of power with those sitting on the far side? With a circular surroundings, your members are bound to communicate more efficiently.

Now arrangements of furniture or items can change the way others will perceive how formal or serious the circumstances may be. Beanie or colourful sleek chairs gives off a more relaxed surrounding. Great example would be Google headquarters where the place feels like home! With a more serious setting of black, brown, and white furniture reflects a more formal environment much like an office or meeting room. Decorations such as wall paper can reflect the way people will feel. If you were to interview someone would you have a game console in the meeting room? Well it would be extremely difficult to concentrate if someone is playing Call of Duty! 

Google Headquarters

Then again...Google a successful company is able to establish a new norm for their workers but still obtain high efficiency. 

One thing is for sure, it's always best to establish a minimal as to how serious you will have to be to get work done. I tend to slack off or get distracted when things are out of place that doesn't fit my working environment. STAY FOCUSED!

joe ks, (2010), <em>Google innovations keeps office work from being drab and boring</em> [ONLINE]. Available at: <u>http://www.joe-ks.com/archives_feb2009/GoogleHeadquarters.htm</u> [Accessed 02 February 13].
alexandra reid, (2012), <em>Google innovations keeps office work from being drab and boring</em> [ONLINE]. Available at: <u>http://francis-moran.com/index.php/marketing-strategy/social-media-strategy-why-meeting-in-the-real-world-matters/</u> [Accessed 02 February 13].
Guffey, M. E., Rhodes, K., & Rogin, P. (2011). Business Communication process and product. Toronto: south-western.