Corporate

Self-Esteem and the Workplace

The following is an excerpt from a chapter from Marv’s new book, “Psycho Self-Imagery.”

Large corporations and small businesses are beginning to realize the importance of creating work environments that enhance feelings of self-worth among workers. Though companies may scoff at the over-used phrase “self-esteem,” they agree regarding the benefits of employees feeling good about themselves and their missions in life. Employers know that when these feelings permeate the work force, the business will be successful. Such companies have gained the mental edge over their competition.

Before launching into a discussion about corporate environments and the effect they have on customer relations, we should first review the self-improvement movement in this country.

The Self-Improvement Movement.

The self-improvement movement in America is heading in the wrong direction, exploiting needs of people who want a quick fix. One of the founders of the positive thinking movement built an entire industry based on a false premise: You can affect behavior in people through positive affirmations; that is, by standing in front of a mirror and telling yourself how wonderful you are. Or by rewarding school children with gold stars for mediocre work; or by engaging in positive self-talk to turn your life around. Best-selling books speak to us of The Personality Ethic, Unlimited Power, Personal Power, Cognitive Behavior & Success Triangles. Self-proclaimed experts tell us how to reach peak performance, how to master the art of selling, how to deliver superior customer service, how to tap into the power of focused thinking and how to be a great communicator. But none of these approaches takes into consideration the self-image, or self-esteem, of their audiences. Individuals take action and respond to situations based on how they feel about themselves – and this is something they seldom address.