TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
> Bruce Byfield wrote:
> >
> > The trouble is that this kind of thing is easy to dismiss as a
> > blatant attempt to win someone over.
> > Instead of such obvious tactics: be polite and friendly, and,
> > when you ask a favor, make clear that you know that you are
> > asking a favor.
> >
> > It works with office staff, too.
> >
> > For that matter, it works with almost everyone else.
And Peter replied:
>
> You are correct if one only buys for one person. When you
> work in close
> proximity, once in a while buying ice cream or bringing in
> bagels, as a
> treat for the gang works. Certainly there is no downside if not
> overdone. I have even said, with a smile and loud voice, "this is a
> bribe, make sure you don't lose my bills." Everyone takes it as a joke
> and I have never seen anyone offended, including top management. The
> thought of an ice cream bribe is so ludicrous that my comment
> has never
> been taken seriously, but it does help cement relations. If you are
> always an aloof and stiff sourpuss, then of course, it wont work.
Great discussion! The above agrees with standard operant conditioning
(behaviorism) principles. Being positive and reinforcing the "good" stuff
works very well in all aspects of life. The reinforcement can come in many
forms, including being polite and friendly (and always saying please and
thank you), and giving a small reward in the form of food. The bigger the
favor, the bigger the reward. Everyone likes to be paid for their work.
(Of course, if indeed one is blatantly attempting to win someone over, it's
usually quite obvious; one must be sincerely positive.)
This is my new interest...using positive reinforcement in all aspects of my
life (parenting, on the job, training my pets). It's amazing how well it
works. I haven't had to yell at my kids in a long while, and last night, I
trained my pet bird to climb her ladder. Karen Pryor's "Don't Shoot the
Dog" is an excellently written and highly recommended book on the subject.
Positively yours (in hot, dusty Jerusalem)
Sharon
Sharon Deitch
Technical Writer
SintecMedia
sharon -at- sintecmedia -dot- com
