Consider putting a stop to them ASAP.
WORD FORMATION: Change the word in CAPITALS to fill in the blanks.
Do you ever get weird vibes from people at your place of 1. ………………. [EMPLOY]? Do you often feel like co-workers aren’t always thrilled with you, even when you do nothing that you think is bad? If so, there’s a good chance you’ve got bad habits that, without your realizing it, are making you look 2. ………… [INCREDIBLE] unprofessional. (…)
Waiting forever to respond to messages
In our technology-run hyperspeed world, it’s 3. …………. [FROWN] on to take more than 24 hours, sometimes on the weekends as well, to reply to a professional piece of correspondence. A lack of communication is unprofessional. It is often seen as 4. ………….. [RESPECT] or 5. ………….. [INTEREST]. It also may make the sender wonder if you even received the message in the first place.
Keep up with your emails and text messages as often as you can. If you have to be away and 6. ……………. [REACH] for a while, let supervisors and co-workers know ahead of time, and turn on your vacation responder.
Texting during working hours or meetings
It’s a sure-fire sign you’re being 7. ……………. [PRODUCTIVE] when you’re on your phone while alone in your office. However, it’s a definite office don’t when you start texting on your phone when with other people, especially in meetings. It’s just a signal to them that you don’t care about their time. If you have to text during professional interactions with other people, try to keep it to a minimum. Focus on the work or the task at hand.
Taking too many breaks
People can see that you’re getting up from your desk every five minutes, and they also know that you can’t possibly be that effective if you don’t warm up to your work. Don’t stand up from your desk every 30 seconds. Too many quick breaks creates an unprofessional 8. ……………. [PERCEIVE] of you. People will think that you’re just sitting there not working at all.
Constantly complaining
Everyone has bad days when they’re tired, sick, or just not feeling their best. I’m sure you’re no exception. However, it is unprofessional to broadcast your feelings and complain to anyone and everyone who will listen. Remember this rule from your 9. …………. [CHILD]: If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all. Keep a good, professional attitude at all times.
Interrupting people
If someone is talking to you, the polite thing to do is to let them get to the end of the 10. ………… [THINK] before interjecting your two cents. Interrupting people before they’re finished, even if you’re just excited to say something, is a sign of 11. …………….. [ARROGANT] and looks unprofessional.
Pay attention to when you choose to let the words fly out of your mouth during an interaction with a peer or boss. Practice active listening. Pause to let others speak before you jump in with your own thoughts.
In order to read the whole article, go to: https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/bad-habits-that-make-you-look-unprofessional-at-work
Key: 1. employment; 2. incredibly; 3. frowned; 4. disrespect; 5. disinterest; 6. unreachable; 7. unproductive; 8. perception; 9. childhood; 10. thought; 11. arrogance
Glossary
- to interject – to say it and interrupt someone else who is speaking
Practice makes perfect
Read (the first 11 paragraphs of) the article:
and decide if the sentences below are true or false:
1. The Walmart staffer in the viral video responded to the angry customer by shouting back at him.
2. According to the article, professionalism always means enforcing policy strictly, no matter the situation.
3. People who focus too much on correcting others are often perceived negatively.
4. Research suggests strong emotions can cause cognitive overload and impair performance.
5. The article states that professional people tend to think short-term, prioritizing immediate benefits.
6. Conscientious people are more likely to provide good customer service.
7. The article claims that “the customer is always right” has scientific support.
8. Neuroscientists found that lying makes people more vulnerable to emotional bias.
Key: 1F; 2F; 3T; 4T; 5F; 6T; 7T; 8T
Discuss
- What does “professionalism” mean to you personally?
- Can you think of someone you know who is highly professional? What makes them stand out?
- How many breaks are reasonable during a workday? Who should decide this?
- Why do you think constant complaining can hurt the workplace atmosphere?
- How do you feel when someone interrupts you? Why is interrupting others disrespectful?
- The Walmart employee stayed calm while being yelled at. How difficult do you think that is?
- How can emotions affect job performance? Can you think of examples?
- Do you believe “the customer is always right”? When might this idea be unrealistic?
- Which of the nine “never do” behaviors have you seen most often in real workplaces?
- Do you think younger employees and older employees differ in their view of professionalism?
Watch and Revise!
Professionalism at Work
Habits to Avoid and Adopt
https://www.cloud.worldwideschool.pl/index.php/s/66oSsrkNyLwBmTM
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