Sue Pressman, 69th President of ACA
Being compassionate, listening to others, and showing empathy are hallmarks of people who bond and thrive in relationships, including those who are forged in the workplace. This month I want to focus on developing healthy relationships in the workplace.
Before the coronavirus pandemic closed offices around the world, much of the work done in all industries with customers, customers, employees and colleagues was done in person. However, as the pandemic spread, travel and security restrictions changed the way we connect, interact, and get results. The world of work has changed dramatically. Video conferencing platforms have become a substitute for personal interaction.
In view of our current work reality, I asked several practitioners of career / employment counseling three open questions. Tom Ayala, Kay Brawley, Lynn Downie, Bill Fenson, Michael Lazarchick, Lisa Severy and Karol Taylor gave their insights and perspectives. All of these practitioners are past presidents of ACA departments or branches. I've identified and highlighted some of the common topics in their responses.
What Makes Labor Relations Work?
1) Understand the culture of the workplace.
2) Experience mutual support and respect among employees and superiors.
3) Focus on the success of the mission and the purpose of the organization.
4) Celebrate individual successes of the team and avoid competition.
5) Embrace and share the different work styles of team members.
6) Show empathy and celebrate the different strengths of each individual.
7) Develop trust, create safe spaces and promote openness and flexibility.
8) Employee empowerment.
9) Creation of opportunities for individual colleagues and teams to connect and network.
What techniques help clients cope with relationship challenges in the workplace?
1) Communication is key. Sometimes it can be helpful to hire a third person if communication has broken down.
2) Helping clients build a strong self-image by contacting their authentic selves to eliminate self-destructive behaviors.
3) Visualization of the perspective from the other person's point of view. This could include developing scenarios and writing stories.
4) Discuss the concept of upward management and support your customers' efforts to develop new self-affirming habits and behaviors.
5) Strengthening self-esteem. This helps clients feel good, reduces their anger, and reduces the likelihood of them becoming overly critical or attacking others.
6) Actively listen to customer stories, clarify those stories, rephrase those stories, and explore new options for growth opportunities.
7) Exploring what wellness means for customers.
8) Promoting self-sufficiency and striving for work-life balance in order to build tolerance.
9) Help customers realize that staying and carrying the burden is not always the best choice.
What are one or two of the most important skills career / employment counselors need to
to be successful?
1) empathy.
2) Openness and active listening.
3) A basic understanding and awareness of the job market and future trends.
4) Encouragement and positivity.
5) The modeling of adaptability and flexibility.
6) The ability to help clients assess who they are, what strengths they have in the workplace, what they want to do, and where they want to work.
7) The ability to cement a strong therapeutic alliance.
8) The ability to promote personal growth and identity building.
9) The ability to listen and reflect to let customers know that you heard what was said and then propose unbiased alternatives that allow customers to make decisions.
The intersectionality of career and work counseling with psychological well-being has never been so clear. If we look at the issues that apply to the workplace, most, if not all, can be applied to any counseling setting. To quote ACA President Simone Lambert:
"Career advice will be so important in 2021."
"The secret of change is to concentrate all your energy on not fighting the old, but building the new." – Socrates
