The Leadership Blog by Ann Vanino

We’ve been hearing a lot about Steven Slater, the Jet Blue flight attendant who quit his job dramatically. Good choice, bad choice, dos and don’ts can be discussed, but what interests me is an undercurrent of the news reporting about people who are dissatisfied in their jobs.

There are reports that that Steven Slater is being approached to host a show in which unhappy workers quit their jobs in outlandish ways. I received a Facebook post from a friend who is a flight attendant addressing what it is like to be in their shoes and asking us to see the other side of Steven Slater’s experience.

I welcome this increased awareness and dialogue on fulfillment in your work, respect and dignity on the job and not letting things get so unbearable you lose it.

I found an interesting web site today: The Workplace Bullying Institute. I am so glad that this concept of workplace bullying is getting attention. On the website there is an announcement of Freedom from Bullies Week: A Week for Support, Inspiration, Peace & Health October 19 – 25, 2008. The purpose of the week is to practice different strategies to overcome indifference to the plight of over 54 million Americans who endure bullying at work on a routine basis. By raising the awareness of those affected by workplace bullying and validating their feelings, they can then regain their power. No one has to endure workplace bullying. I hope we are seeing the beginning of its end.

When you run into a difficult situation at work, the best ally you have is your own truth. By your truth, I mean how you view the situation and identify what you want to do about it. When you clearly state your truth without extreme emotions or bias, people listen. But, most importantly, you know where you stand. It is from a centered place that you best represent your interests.

A recent study has found that almost one in four Americans experience chronic anger in the workplace. The study is titled “Workplace Incivility: The Target’s Eye View,” The authors interviewed and surveyed 1,400 workers. The majority of those interviewed, 78 percent, said incivility has worsened in the last 10 years

Those of you who have read my blog for awhile know that I believe there is no room for anger or other destructive emotions in the workplace. Every employee deserves civility in the workplace. What can we do? We can set boundaries with rude people and refuse to tolerate their behavior. If top management supports bad behavior we can think about another place to work. We all deserve a work environment of dignity and integrity.

I read an interesting article on selfgrowth.com titled Cleaning Up the Mess of Professional Mistakes.
In the article, Geri Markel advises that the way you deal with professional mistakes contributes to your professional image and to your sense of self. When you make a blunder at work, the first thing to do is to center and muster your personal power. You have decisions to make regarding how you will handle the situation. It takes strength to acknowledge and deal with a mistake. But, the only way through is through. The sooner you deal with it the better. You’ll recover. Be steady as you go and handle it in the best way possible.