This article relates to the Coworkers competency, commonly evaluated in employee satisfaction surveys. It tells the story of a coworker whose performance consistently facilitated effective cooperation, collaboration, and communication between the employees within one organization. While the Team Dynamics competency focuses on relationships within a single group, this competency targets coworker topics spanning the entire organization over multiple work units. This competency investigates your organization's ability to successfully work in partnership on projects with one another and between groups to reach the common goals of the organization.
This short story, Coworker and Caretaker, is part of AlphaMeasure's compilation, Tales From the Corporate Frontlines. It illustrates how one coworker's knowledge, compassion, and dedication to the common goals of her company made getting the job done a joy for her entire work team.
Anonymous Submission
Every workplace has one. The employee who keeps the operation moving, the "go to" person who can always be depended upon to know the answer to any question. The person who always has time to hear your thoughts, and everyone in the office feels comfortable talking to. In short, the exceptional coworker.
Mary Ann retired from our office last week after 40 years of faithful service. She knew every client, sales rep, contact and associate of the company and in particular, her manager. She knew her own job duties completely, and was acquainted with the responsibilities of every other employee in the office.
Mary Ann was not management material, it was said around the office. I don't believe that statement was true. I think she could have done anything she wished, and quite successfully. But she didn't want to lead. She seemed quite content to do her part to keep things running smoothly - behind the scenes. She was the office "mom" - the birthday celebration organizer, the office supplies coordinator, the interior decorator. Her work was always finished, flawlessly, and she made herself available to train new employees and help them fit into the office family. Mary Ann put together lunches when coworkers retired or moved on, and always did a major part of the holiday party planning.
Always even-tempered, even under stress, she consistently had a good word for everyone who stopped at her desk. She could be depended on for a dose of common sense and practical wisdom. Whenever a crisis came up, and there was mass panic or chaos in the office, Mary Ann would enter and bring calm to the situation with her mere presence. She'd assess the facts, make a few suggestions, and everyone would begin to get back to reality and set about making things right again. "The Voice of Reason" we called her, and rightly so.
She will be missed. It will be interesting to see how our office gets along without her, and if anyone will move into her position. Any volunteers?
-------------------------------------------------------------
© 2005 AlphaMeasure, Inc. - All Rights Reserved
This article may be reprinted, provided it is published in its entirety, includes
the author bio information, and all links remain active.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Measure. Report. Improve your organization with AlphaMeasure employee surveys.
Josh Greenberg is President of AlphaMeasure, Inc.
AlphaMeasure provides organizations of all sizes a powerful web based method for measuring employee satisfaction, determining employee engagement, and increasing employee retention.
Launch your employee engagement survey with AlphaMeasure.
How long does it take your customers, clients or patients... Read More
Following is a brief definition of core competencies and competitive... Read More
To get the best results you have to be very... Read More
IntroductionThere are a group of people in the community that... Read More
It seems incongruous that good idea generation can be a... Read More
Lynn was tapped to head up the project team for... Read More
Many times business owners can have significant differences in management... Read More
The recent news about one of America's most powerful woman... Read More
Your impact at meetings will determine in a big way... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
In the Wizard of Oz, it was "Lions and tigers... Read More
If you think ahead and plan, many nightmare panic and... Read More
As a manager our role is to:1. Establish the vision,... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
The Number One problem in business is poor communication: between... Read More
Sometimes when I conduct my workshop on Effective Meetings, one... Read More
A recent Washington Post article, described the life of temporary... Read More
Employee motivation is probably the most important single manageable factor... Read More
It is difficult to pick up a newspaper or listen... Read More
The other day one of our overseas clients called in... Read More
If there is someone nearby as you read this look... Read More
Is building your own inventory management solution really your best... Read More
If you have company delivery vehicles at your small or... Read More
A recent report from the American Hospital Association's Commission on... Read More
I've just watched, again, an episode in the Back to... Read More
Job interviews are easier for the interviewer or the interviewee... Read More
How do you as a manager, supervisor or team leader... Read More
What is Six Sigma?Six Sigma is a quality management program... Read More
Recently, I felt appalled to see a political candidate running... Read More
IMPROVING COMMUNICATION DURING THE PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL: If the employee has... Read More
How content and satisfied are American employees? Not very!According to... Read More
The world has always been mixed with the... Read More
I personally struggle with the term 'managing people' - because... Read More
In today's competitive world shorter product life cycles, customers rapid... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
We all know that achieving better alignment, synergy and cooperation... Read More
A series of articles exploring the seven critical areas that... Read More
So to help start the ball rolling, here are ten... Read More
Each year many people create a list of resolutions designed... Read More
Hiring good employees is not only important to business, it's... Read More
As a management consultant, I have seen some poorly conceived... Read More
It is clear that good Corporate Governance is in the... Read More
In today's chaotic world and uncertain economic times too many... Read More
In today's tough retail environment the retailer needs all the... Read More
It has been well documented that employees' productivity and job... Read More
Human Resource Employee Risk ProfileIs your business at risk? Do... Read More
What is a Virtual Assistant? A Virtual Assistant is a... Read More
Ok, you say, I know I need a budget, but... Read More
We go to meetings to share information, to report on... Read More
Measure the right things. It's not enough just to measure-you... Read More
Want to get more from your people, but you don't... Read More
The study of Behavioral extension involves investigating the source of... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Times of cost cutting and downsizing has dramatically impacted the... Read More
FINDING DIRECTION: An organization can't succeed without direction. Direction means... Read More
Birds of a Feather May Be TurkeysBy Gene Griessman, PhD... Read More
As we near the end of summer, here is a... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
In the Wizard of Oz, it was "Lions and tigers... Read More
Ten Money Saving Tips for Print ManagersDespite their stated desire... Read More
Everyday a business owner, CEO, or manager somewhere is complaining... Read More
Many companies have dress codes, which include jewelry. Some companies... Read More
Escalating gas prices...tensions and turmoil in the Middle East...a struggling... Read More
One of the greatest time wasters of all are unnecessary... Read More
You had better care! Because what people think usually leads... Read More
Business Management |