St. Paul Recorder

THIS 'N THAT

BY HAZEL UNDERWOOD

Again, we wish all of you a very Happy New Year and a prosperous one.

Have you thought what a grave responsibility you have, beginning this new year? You and you alone can make this year just what you want it to be.

Human Relations: How to get along with people, the most valuable knowledge in the world. It is indispensable if we are to enjoy any measure of happiness or success at home or in the social world.

No one is too young or too old to "master this most valuable knowledge." Most people think to be successful you have to have a high I.Q. But this has been proven false.

The recent Harvard Survey completely disapproves such a theory. Last year we read in a magazine that Harvard had interviewed nearly 5,000 men who had failed as employees.

These failures were divided into two classes: (A) Those who failed through lack of technical knowledge, and (B) Those who failed through lack of personality. Only 34% were discharged through the lack of technical knowledge while 66% were discharged for lack of personality development and adjustment!

The Harvard survey says, "Today we know that it is our H.R.Q. (Human Relations Quotient) that is the real cause of so many failing to keep their jobs."

Some who have lost their jobs shrug their shoulders and say, "Luck is against me-the other fellow gets all the breaks." Instead of taking that attitude he should search for the cause, for there is always a cause. Probably his lack of understanding of Human Relations is the cause.

They know they have a good educational background, but that is not enough. This day and time, YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW to get along with people to be successful.

Here are a few reasons most of the men interviewed failed, although they would not believe it possible. First: Unwillingness to co-operate or help others.

Second: UNRELIABILITY, lack of dependability. Third: Discourteousness: rudeness, indifference to the other fellow's interests, wants, desires or POINT OF VIEW.

Fourth: Carelessness: Indifference, the "so-what" attitude: I'll get by.

Fifth: Sarcasm: Cutting the other fellow down to size. Too free with the stinging rebuke and the humiliating remark, making fun of others.

Sixth: Desire to domineer, wanting to boss others, acting superior. Seventh: Troublemaking: Agitating, always dissatisfied, the world-owes-me-living attitude.

Eighth: Laziness: Loafing on the job, habitual lateness.

Ninth: Disagreeableness: Lack of respect for others, the I'm right but the world's all wrong attitude.

Tenth: Misconduct: Violation of rules, unwillingness to conform to prescribed standards that are essential for the well-being of all.

Eleventh: Drinking to excess.

Twelfth: Dishonesty.

Thirteenth: Absenteeism: Found wanting in the sense of responsibility.

The personality patterns of most of us who fail fall in the above categories. Beginning this year let us check ourselves and see where we can improve and we will succeed.

We can all be successful if we work at it. Now let's see what "makes the successful man."

One: He has tact, the healing balm for injured feelings.

Two: Courtesy: graciousness in respecting the other fellow.

Third: Friendliness: Gives the other fellow the satisfaction of approval. Encourages him to talk about himself.

Fourth: Gracious and intelligent respect for others, remembering at all times that to each person HIS OWN personal interests are his most vital concern.

Enthusiasm: "The parent of everything good in history" (Emerson) Plus co-operativeness, honesty, poise, personableness and imagination.

The Harvard survey says, "all of us can learn these desirable personality traits if we apply ourselves and really have a desire to enjoy HUMAN RELATIONS."

Today Bright And New

Today comes, bright and new and unused from the calendar of Time. It is all yours to fill with thoughts and words and actions -from morning 'till night. How will you spend it? And when it is over, will some one be glad that you lived today?

—Katherine Baldwin York