| Volume 1 #6 | March 2006

Encouragement in the Workplace

I just returned to full time status at work. Before that, I spent the past two years as an in-house temp in order to pursue a more flexible schedule. My last assignment was one where I spent over a year in a position that was ordinarily considered one I would be too overqualified for on a full time basis. 

Yet, my time together with the dear people I worked with gave me many possibilities far and above the limited scope of the job itself. I shared my technical knowledge with my co-workers on a daily basis and trained other people new to the area. I mentored someone preparing to take a writing exam for admission to a college program. I also got to do some sample coaching with a few people, and witnessed just one session having a lasting impact on one or two of them.

Now, it's important to note that all of the above didn't happen because I walked in there and decided I was going to show off my skills. These people were gracious enough to be open and receptive to the opportunities I saw to fill certain needs. Thus, what really happened were the three ways of embracing encouragement in action that I talked about when I kicked off this newsletter:

- I took opportunities to offer encouragement.

- They were willing to receive encouragement.

- When they believed in themselves, they learned new skills and moved forward with changes that positively impacted their lives.

None of those things I did outside of the job description paid any additional money. But having someone say "I admire you" beats any raise you could ever receive.

Don't be locked in by your job description. Keep your eyes open for ways you can be an encourager in the workplace. --Wendy

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All original written material ©2005-2006 Wendy Vickers. All Rights Reserved.