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Chapter 4 |
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I. Attitude and Personality - Do They Matter in the Workplace?
‘Attitude and Personality- do they matter in the workplace?’ poses a very good question and also happens to be the title of an article found on the University of Melbourne’s Alumni website. The article’s author, Adam Le Good, is the Director of Fundamental Training and Development and presents training programs for academic institutions, private and public organisations. Read Le Good’s article found at http://www.unimelb.edu.au/alumni/summit/2002summit/personalities.pdf and then answer the following questions:
1. While strong job skills may be required for employment, they may not be the only selection criteria. What other factors often help determine who gets hired?
2. What consequences does Le Good predict if attitude and personality factors are ignored when selecting staff?
3. A survey of employers showed that there are a number of personal attributes employers look for in potential staff. What would they be?
II. Emotional Intelligence
When choosing a job candidate or selecting an individual for promotion, many factors are important. A person’s intelligence is, of course, one key consideration; another is a person’s emotional intelligence. Read an article on this topic titled, ‘IQ vs. EQ...How’s Yours?’ found on the Australian on-line magazine ‘Corporate Trends’ at http://www.corporatetrends.com.au/tymson2.html and then answer the following questions:
1. What are the five characteristics that describe emotional intelligence according to Daniel Goleman, author of the book, Working with Emotional Intelligence?
2. While a person’s education and technical skills may get someone a job, it is communication skills that are critical for those aspiring to top management positions. Explain why communication skills are so vital in the workplace.
3. The article concludes with a list of five traits found in emotionally intelligent individuals. What are they? How well do you personally score on each?
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