Matthew Limes

Exercise 4: Video Script

QUESTION: What social skills can improve your relationships within the modern office
environment?

On Screen: An image of happy coworkers, “Social Skills for the Modern Office” text on screen

Narration: The modern office environment is more frequently becoming a place of collaboration
and discussion. Many offices are abandoning the traditional cubicle setting and instead are trans-
forming them into open spaces that provides more chances of open communication and employ-
ee engagement. With this new collaborative workspace you may be asking yourself “what social
skills can I utilize to better my relationships within this new, more open environment?” In this
presentation your question will be answered

On screen: An image of two minds connected,“Empathy” text on screen

Narration: Empathy, the ability to understand and share feelings of another, is a must needed skill
in an environment where you will be frequently be seeing and engaging your fellow coworkers.
Empathy is important for a variety of reasons, ranging from just basic understanding of a fellow
employees mood to ensuring that your coworkers feel comfortable and supported within your
office.

Screen transition: Different emotions of faces, “Understanding” text on screen

Narration (continued): Although it’s frequently recommended to separate your personal life from
your work, many people can find that hard to do as it can effect their moods. In an office where it
may be hard to find a place to collect themselves if they are in a poor mood, it’s important to
treat them with respect and understanding. This includes trying to empathize with them in times
where they may not be in the best of moods.

On screen: An image of an ear, “Listening” text on screen

Narration: In the modern office it’s also important to listen to your fellow coworkers. As you will
likely be in an open space, there’s generally more collaboration between different groups of peo-
ple. Accounting, sales, and customer service and other departments might all be interacting with
each other. With this in mind, listen to what everybody has to say. Different departments might
have different advise or notifications for you and your department. In general, listening to what
everybody has to say is a great way to improve employee relationships.

On screen: No touching picture, “Appropriate Workplace Contact”

Narration: More and more today it’s important to be aware of what is considered to be appropri-
ate workplace contact. Although you may mean no harm, it’s important to be aware that your ac-
tions can make others uncomfortable. For starters, you want to respect others personal space. Try
to remain at least an arms length away from others while talking as to not invade their personal
space. In general, touching others, even in a way you might mean as innocent, is not advised.
Unless you are giving a handshake to someone else it’s probably best to keep your hands to
yourself so that your fellow coworkers do not feel uncomfortable.

On screen: An image of responsibility, “Responsibility”

Narration: Being responsible is a fairly straight forward piece of advise for the modern work-
place. If you make a decision you need to be accountable for it, see to it that said action gets
completed, and if you do it make it as best as possible. This can help to build trust among your
fellow employees as well as just improve office relationships by doing what it is you are ac-
countable for.

On screen: two people shaking hands, “Managing Conflicts”

Narration: Conflict resolution is key within the modern workplace. Being an open environment
where many employees will interact with each other on a day-to-day basis means that conflicts
between employees will likely arise. Do your part by not encouraging or engaging in these con-
flicts. If you are in a conflict with another employee, try to see their point of view and come to a
resolution. Most importantly if you think a conflict is important enough to bring up to HR, voice
your concerns to your HR manager (anonymously or not). He or she can try to mediate conflict
resolution between said parties.

On screen: An image of a thumbs up/smiley face, in bullet points “Empathy, Listening, Appropri-
ate Workplace Contact, Responsibility, Managing Conflicts

Narration: The modern workplace is one where you will be openly interacting with others on a
regular basis. By keeping in mind the above points, you can do your part of making the environ-
ment a more pleasant one. Simply remembering these five main social skills can easily improve
your relationships with your fellow employees in the modern office space of today!