Let me start off by saying I work with a great team of individuals. We work in the advertising field and have to deal with a lot of pressure to perform under deadlines. However, as the lead on the team, I have become a little worried about the professionalism of the team. Things can get a little loose and informal around the office and at times some of my team have been offended by the comments of others. Usually the comments are meant to be harmless but I’m beginning to think someone is going to go too far one day and a major complaint is going to be filed.
I also worry about how some of my team act and conduct themselves while with clients. Sometimes I don’t think they know how to act like professionals and don’t realize how their image can have a negative impact on how the firm is viewed. Anyone have a similar experience. What did you do?
Filed under: Team Management | Tagged: risk management
This can be a tough situation. I think that your best course of action is to bring it up as a discussion within the team. The longer you let this go, the more problematic it can become. It wouldn’t suggest singling out any one individual, but making it a topic of discussion to see what the overall opinion of the team is on this. You might include a discussion on business etiquette as part of that. When there are areas of concern, you are better to confront them head on rather than letting them fester. That is just one of the jobs of a leader.
One other thing that I have implemented is “team reading and discussion”. Pick a book a month (or so) as mandatory reading and then get together for discussion on the subject as it applies to your business/team/clients. You could choose as one of your books a book on professional business conduct and then try to apply the principles to your team – it is like team professional development.
I can definitely identify with your challenge. I see this type of issue pop up all the time in the consulting work that I do. There is alot of research out there right now that suggests people form of a professional opinion of you within the first 7 seconds of meeting you. The impact that a poor professional image can have on others is substantial, whether it be internal or external clients.
The challenge is that alot of people in the workplace have no idea or insight into the way that their professional behavior (appearance, body language and style of communication) affects others. I’ve done “professional image” workshops at retail, banking and hospitality industries and the most important thing to to figure out is what “professionalism” means to your company. Yes, there are the rules we should all adhere to but professionalism means something different for every company and department that comprises it. Perhaps an honest conversation or group meeting around the issue would be a good start. Ask others what they think on this issue and what they would recommend for the rules of conduct in and out of the office. When employees buy into and feel engaged in the process, the are more likely to make the behavioral change you are looking for. When they feel it is a set of rules being forced upon them; well then, you have an employee revolt and you will start to see worse behavior. So try holding the group and get their feedback. Holding up the mirror to the behavior may be an effective first step.