Tricks or Treats? Which
Do You Offer Your Colleagues and Coworkers?

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. There is just something intriguing about not having to be yourself for one night out of the year. Clomping around as a clown, not worrying about your hair or your face makeup is liberating. And getting candy treats, not tricks? Awesome!

I consulted with a company who thought every day was Halloween. Employees frequently took on fictitious personas such as witches, disappearing ghosts, or empty bags of skeletons when asked for help. Do you have that problem in your organization?

Being cooperative and collaborative with colleagues and coworkers gives the organization a boost to morale. With the world wide economy still pretty much a frightening nightmare, eliminating scary interactions while persuading employees to "treat" one another, not "trick" one another, is important.

It is magic to call the front desk in a hotel and have the employee respond to your request, "My pleasure." Magic can be felt in your organization if employees are encouraged to treat their co-workers with the same courtesy. Like sipping hot apple cider with a twist of cinnamon on Halloween night,  you can literally feel your organization warming up to improved morale with requests followed by: "My pleasure," "I'd be glad to help you," "I can tell this is important to you. I will squeeze it into my schedule."

I know what you are thinking: There are times when treating someone to your personal time is impossible for a variety of reasons. If this is the case, don't trick the person making the request by turning into a Halloween masked character. Instead, follow this simple formula:
 
1.       Express empathy. "I know this is important to you" or "I'm sure this project is stressful for you."
2.       Explain your situation. "I have a deadline at 2:00 p.m." or "I have an off-site meeting this afternoon."
3.       Offer alternatives. "Can I do this for you tomorrow morning?" or "Have you asked Billie? I know she just finished a large project and she may have time to help you this afternoon."
 
Dressed in politeness, you are saying "No" yet not saying "No" and offering a treat of graciousness, not a trick of a bad attitude.