eSight NetWork News

eSight's NetWork News
PreviousAugust 1st, 2007Next

Building Relationships at Work

Our discussion last week about "How do you build
effective interpersonal relationships?" elicited quite
a few interesting responses from people both on and
off the Internet.

Mike H., a twenty year veteran of working with people
who are disabled and who has a Master's in Social
Policy answered in this way: "A 'them versus us'
attitude needs to be checked at the door. Don't expect
charity, don't look for pity. If you're looking for
either, find something else to do.

"Start with a level playing field - a level playing
field builds trust, mutual respect and fosters
relationships.

"But if the playing field isn't level, look for
opportunities to remove the barriers, whether they are
technological, educational, communications or cultural
barriers."

For example, show your bosses and your co-workers how
your adaptive technology makes it easier for you to do
your job. Perhaps it will help your boss do his/her
job or one of your co-workers do his/her job.
Customers or clients may even hear about your adaptive
technology and want to ask you questions. It might
just impact their lives in some way you didn't know
about.

Helping to break down cultural barriers, may break
down misconceptions about a culture that they may have
or you may have. You may find you have more common
ground and interests than you do differences. Your
work colleagues and boss may find out that you're an
excellent cook despite having a disability. Something
they might not have fathomed you could do. You and
your boss or coworkers may discover you all like to
golf or play basketball, something that they might not
have thought someone with a disability could do
either. You can help break down the myths and
misconceptions about disability as well.

Mike H. continues "Everyone deserves respect, to be
given all the information available and to have equal
opportunities to make choices."

Barney tells us that he likes "being inclusive" when he
has the opportunity. As well as, "networking with
co-workers and others with whom I interface. It's a
process requiring constant diligence, perseverance and
patience."

Everyone may or may not like you right away. Some
never will. You have to keep being involved and not
shying away.

Networking isn't just handing out business cards
anymore and waiting for people to call you. Networking
can be a source of mentorship as well as friendship.
Networking can also help building friendships with
people you may not always have been exposed to. It can
also be an opportunity for you to offer your expertise
to someone. Having a social network can also introduce
you to voluntary or community service venues where you
may be able to contribute.

Annette S., assessed our question this way.
"Communication is most important... My advice is to
learn to communicate effectively... Learn to be
assertive. If you have anger management problems, get
help."

To sum up these tips on getting along with disabled
and nondisabled people at work - - communicate openly,
find opportunities to break down barriers, perceived
or otherwise, genuinely get involved with people at
work and in your community in a social network, know
your strengths and also your weaknesses and don't be
afraid to be assertive and stand up for yourself if
the need arises. Also, don't be afraid to ask for help
in areas where you need it. It isn't a sign of
weakness it's a sign of good healthy self-esteem.

This week's question is something that both disabled
and nondisabled people experience at one time or
another.

"How do you maintain your morale or self-esteem
during a difficult job search?"

Tell us your stories on how you coped with being
downsized or outsourced? How are you coping or did you
cope when you couldn't find a job in whatever field
you had graduated from in college? What do you do, how
would you advise someone facing a similar situation?

Go to the Equal Dignity Forum and help someone else
out and yourself in the interim. You'll feel good
having helped out.

Please post your comments to today's question at
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=1190

To check all the current comments submitted about this
topic on eSight's Equal Dignity Forum, go to
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=1191

Liz Seger
Facilitator
eSight's Equal Dignity Forum

PS: Congratulations to Betsy Fabricant, Director of
Recreation and Residential Programs, Dawn M.
Suvino, Director of Information Services and
Technology Training, and Nancy D. Miller,
CEO/Executive Director on the outstanding success
of VISIONS 1st Annual Employment and Technology
Institute: Building Your Future 2007, which was
made possible through a grant from the Reader's
Digest Partners for Sight Foundation.

Use GoodSearch!

Associated Blind earns a penny in support of eSight
NetWork News every time you search the Internet using
GoodSearch. Here's how. Go to:
http://www.esight.org/view.cfm?x=1989

Just 500 of individuals searching four times a day
will raise about $7,300 in a year for eSight without
anyone spending a dime. So, be sure to spread the
word!

Worthy of Note on eSight This Week

Career Management Resource:
How to Conduct Company Research Easily, Effectively
http://www.esight.org/view.cfm?x=838

Small Business Resource:
eSight Marketing for Small Business Step-by-Step:
Writing a Business Plan, Part 2
http://www.esight.org/view.cfm?x=1331

Employer Resource:
Use Leadership to Help an Employee With a disability
Grow in his Job
http://www.esight.org/view.cfm?x=611

eSight Resources:

eLearning Program Now Accepting Applications
http://www.esight.org/view.cfm?x=1968

Community News (13 new items)
http://www.tabinc.org/blog/

Job Postings (51 jobs)
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=64

Resource Sharing (14 new items)
http://www.esight.org/view.cfm?x=1982

Equal Dignity Forum
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=1188

Networking Forum
http://www.tabinc.org/net

Job Seeker's Network
http://www.tabinc.org/jsn/

Archives for eSight NetWork News
http://www.tabinc.org/cgi-bin/enn.cgi

Share Your 'Aha! Moment' It's another form of virtual
mentoring within our eSight community.
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=849

Resource Exchange

Tell us about disability employment sites, blogs,
tips, job leads or events at
http://www.esight.org/link.cfm?n=182

Or e-mail MemberServices@eSight.org with the words,
"Resources for Job Seekers," in the subject line, and
we'll include them in eSight NetWork News.

Recruiters

Post open jobs on eSight for free at
http://www.esight.org/jobPostPosition.cfm