Workers are sum of lives

By BOB WILSON Valley Press Staff Writer





- - - - -- - -­




- - - - --- - - ­




- -­





PALMDALE - Workers are people, too, was the message for business professionals attending this month's luncheon of the Palmdale Chamber of Commerce at the Larry Chimbole Cultural Center.





The message, "Integrating a macro perspective of commerce," was delivered by Colbert B. Williams Sr.





Williams is a licensed clinical social worker, certified anger-management facilitator and executive and life coach.





. Williams, president of Executive & Life Coaching Inc., offers training and advice to business

owners and managers who want to increase profits.





According to Williams, the secret to getting workers to increase productivity is to improve workplace communication.





Communication, anger management, stress management and "emotional intelligence" are the four comers of his training program, according to a handout passed out to audience members.





His program advises business professionals to consider all of the things that may be having an effect on workers: Their relationships in the workplace, in society, at home and with themselves, Williams said.





These relationships "are interrelated and interconnected," and all may have an effect on behavior on the job, he said.





"When you are dealing with people, you are dealing with communication" and emotions - love, grief, anger, hate, etc. - that can be spurred by any number of causes, including family issues, interpersonal relationships, societal issues, financial issues, values, Williams said.





"When I'm doing trainings, part of the macro perspective is to have a global view of what goes on with people" because people bring the sum of their lives to the workplace, whether intentionally or unintentionally, he said.





"No matter whether you are a large or small business, you are dealing with people," whether as employees or superiors or customers or vendors, Williams said.

"Everything in our social environment will affect the workplace environment, and vice versa," he said.



Basically, workers who are more happy than angry are less likely to disrupt business activities, less likely to file legal actions or become violent, and more likely to work well with others and develop a sense of loyalty and trust, Williams said.



Engaging in communication that focuses on empathy, compassion, cooperation and forgiveness is key to easing stress and improving productivity, he said.



Executive & Life Coaching is at 44709 North Date Ave. in Lancaster. For details call (866) 726­7881.



bwilson@avpress.com



Mr. Williams is an Anderson & Anderson Certified Anger Management Facilitator