Do you know what your co-workers think of you?
By Laura Morsch
CareerBuilder.com
Editor's Note: CNN.com has a business partnership with CareerBuilder.com, which serves as the exclusive provider of job listings and services to CNN.com.
Maybe you've noticed that every time you enter the break room, the casual chatter fades to a tense silence. Or when you talk to co-workers, they stare at the floor, the window -- anything so they don't make eye contact with you. Either way, you'd better find out what's going on.
Even if your situation is less extreme, it's important to know what people say about you at work. Whether people think you're a brilliant leader or totally incompetent, others' perceptions can help determine how you're treated and the types of projects with which you're involved.
Since other people's perceptions aren't necessarily true, it's possible to change them -- but first you need to know what they are. Uncovering your at-work reputation simply takes a little sleuthing.
In their book, "Survival of the Savvy: High-Integrity Political Tactics for Career and Company Success," Rick Brandon and Marty Seldman offer these six tips to help find out and manage your corporate buzz:
1. Ask others about your rep: Do you suspect people are talking about you or your latest project? Ask a boss or trusted co-worker to dish you the dirt. Your co-workers, manager, past associates, friends and family can provide valuable insight into your professional reputation. A note of caution: Beware of hidden agendas. A jealous boss or co-worker could lead you astray.
2. Listen to offhand comments: Casual conversations and friendly jokes could hold important clues about what others think of you. For example, if a peer comments, "Better order in for pizza" as you stand to speak at the end of a meeting, you might be known as a rambler.
3. Tap into self-assessment tools: Do you tend to skip the chapters in the career advice books that deal with anger management? Take that as a hint: The articles, books and courses you tend to avoid might point to areas where other people think you're lacking. Also check out other company-provided self-awareness tools such as mentoring, evaluation surveys or profile feedback.
4. Observe treatment you receive: Look for patterns in your project assignments, your position on agendas or your budget or bonus. For example, if you get passed over for a cross-functional team, it might be because others think you're too specialized. Or if you're constantly placed last on meeting agendas -- and then get cut off before you're finished -- it could mean you drone on too long.
5. Make guesses based on stereotypes: Nobody said perceptions were fair. Even today, stereotypes based on gender, ethnicity, religion or industry do exist. For example, you shouldn't assume you were passed over for a project because you're a woman, but do keep an eye on how women are generally treated in your workplace.
6. Manage the airwaves: Once you figure out what others are saying about you, work to change the perceptions of yourself that you don't like. If you're considered too specialized, take a course or two to diversify your skills. If you're considered unfriendly, always smile and say hello to your co-workers at the water cooler. Work on your flaws and spread new impressions that counter your stereotype.
Laura Morsch is a writer for CareerBuilder.com
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