George Wassell

By Rebecca Harris, MS, LPC, CEAP

At last those horrible campaign ads have ended! The negativity was driving me crazy, and the counter attacks were not at all helpful or informative. I wanted to vote for “C” – none of the above! Is anybody telling the truth or holding themselves accountable anymore?
This month our series will focus on what we think about the other guy. What guiding principles do I live by? How can I apply them to work? Do I practice what I preach?

As EAP Counselors we sometimes hear stories from people who experience circumstances where they believe that they are being treated unfairly, and are not sure what to do about it. One of our jobs becomes interpreting their words, and asking questions to help get a good perspective of the issue. The question then becomes, “What part do you play in the situation, and what have you done already to try to resolve it”. It’s amazing at how different interpretations of the same event can be. A new perspective, along with a willingness to examine personal behavior, can go a long way in resolving miscommunication.

Getting a new perspective is the key here. The TV show the “Undercover Boss” does just that. At first I thought it was going to be a show where they went looking for “bad” employees. Instead, it occurred to me that the CEO’s that are featured are actually going “undercover” in an attempt to understand what it’s like to be “me”. They want to know what you’re up against by walking in your shoes, trying to improve the communication and understanding of the roles we play. Everybody’s contributions are important. What a concept! The show confirmed what I already knew. If I’m treated with respect and dignity, I’ll perform much better at whatever I do.

Guiding principles are often used in the business world to define the mission of a company. They help shape the culture, and provide universal standards to the whole organization. People have guiding principles too. What are some you abide by?

Next week-Cowboy Ethics, The unwritten code of the West.

Call Solutions EAP at 1-800-526-3485 for assistance for all of life's challenges.
It’s free, confidential and open to your family members.
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George "Bud" Wassell, M.S., LPC, CEAP
Director, Solutions EAP
213 Court Street
Middletown, CT 06457
1-800-526-3485
fax: 860-704-6221
www.solutions-eap.com<http://www.solutions-eap.com>