Page 75 - Becoming a Successful Manager

66 ESTABLISHING A SOLID DEPARTMENTAL FOUNDATION

• Ask for opinions and seriously consider those opinions.
• Be considerate of each employee’s feelings.
• Cooperate with each other because, even though we are a
diverse, global community, we have common objectives.
• Celebrate each other’s achievements and extend sincere,

specific compliments when appropriate.
• Return phone calls and e-mail messages as promptly as
possible.
• Be forthright and compassionate in dealing with fellow
employees.
•Extend yourself to fulfi ll customers’ needs and their reason-
able expectations.
• Have fun; enjoy what you do.

Feel free to include these behaviors when compiling your depart-
ment’s list. If you like, you can create several different lists of
respectful behaviors. One list could comprise behaviors toward
fellow employees, while another could emphasize behaviors toward
customers and still another might represent respectful behaviors
that each individual should do for himself or herself.
Your second list of positive departmental behaviors should dem-
onstrate qualities of trustworthiness. At the top of your department’s

list should be: “Act responsibly—fulfill all promises, and don’t make
promises that the employee or department can’t keep.” Without this
element of trustworthiness, the company’s reputation among its
clients and in the industry could be diminished. Other exemplary
behaviors that appeared on many of our clients’ lists were: maintain

each other’s confidence; do not judge each other’s feelings; be sin-
cere; and verify what is needed and what will be delivered.
Your list of trustworthy behaviors along with your lists of
respectful behaviors will serve as a good start to achieve a positive
departmental culture. As time permits, generate lists of behaviors
that reflect the other attitudes you and your staff agreed to adopt.