March 30, 2011
www.fsuvoice.com
OPINION
The Voice, For students, By Students 5
Professionalism.
Does it exist?
It is a basic part of our modern era that
we are forced to adapt constantly to multiple
social environments. We transition from our
family setting, to the workplace, back to the
home, and maybe, when we have free time,
to various entertainment outlets with our
friends. Each of these environments, though,
is its own micro-culture of behavioral rou
tines, beliefs, values, and expectations, and
when these are violated, there are conse
quences. Such is the case for a person who
brings his or her frustrations over from a bad
family situation into the workplace, or a per
son, angry at work, channels that anger to
ward loved ones. The key to adapting to these
''sometimes abrupt social transitions is tied to
appreciating that they are, in fact,
unique environments, and in learning
communication skills that will allow
you to excel in those environments.
The workplace is one of these
unique environments, and all work
places are as different as they are
similar. Making the transition from one work
place to another can be traumatizing. People
are different. Procedures are different. There
are new written as well as unwritten rules
about chain-of-command, online behavior,
paperwork, office etiquette, work duties, and
office relationships. The best practice for
a new employee is not to just dive right in,
but to remain open-minded, listen carefully,
watch carefully, observe people and practices,
be patient, do not try to impress others imme
diately, do not allow yourself to be talked into
joining any workplace social cliques, do not
criticize workplace routines, and ask for ver
bal and written feedback to gauge your prog
ress. It takes time to learn a new workplace
culture, and the time you spend is a good in
vestment in your future success.
Despite the idiosyncrasies of our different
environments, there are common workplace
standards that should be followed. They are
often referred to as codes of conduct, stan
dards of professionalism and collegiality, and
best practices. Below are five categories of
suggestions for creating and maintaining a
professional identity in the workplace.
1. Your look. Dress and maintain personal
hygiene in such a way that gamers respect
and trust, reflects confidence, high self-es
teem, and a willingness to present an appro
priate image for your institution.
2. Your work. Show up on time, maximize
your productivity during work hours, consci
entiously fiilfill the duties of your job descrip
tion while exceeding minimum expectations,
being self-motivated, and working on a task
until it is complete.
3. Your character. Hold yourself to the
highest possible standards of character and
behavior as fitting for your job, which in-
DR, TODD
FROBISH
COMMUNICATION
MATTERS
eludes remaining ethical in your decision
making and conduct, following protocol and
procedure, respecting the chain of command,
and refraining from non-constructive critical
comments, gossip, and excessive communi
cations.
4. Your relationships. Being collegial
means maintaining an attitude of friendli
ness, honesty, and openness, being courte
ous, admitting and owning mistakes, seeking
solutions and not just pointing to problems,
criticizing constructively and always in pri
vate, praising in public, being helpful by tak
ing that extra step to assist others, listening to
others’ concerns, respecting others’ feelings,
beliefs, and values, remaining approachable,
appreciating the work duties of others
by not distracting or impeding upon
their ability to complete those duties,
and contributing to a healthy work
environment that is free from hostil
ity and other such tensions.
5. Your innocence. Refrain from
illegal and inappropriate activities. All em
ployees should refrain from making deci
sions based upon gender, race, sexual orien
tation, age, and other identity markers. This
includes making comments that target those
markers, and treating people differently be
cause of those markers. Employees should
also refrain from using institutional resources
for private or personal gain, publicly criticiz
ing the reputation or identity of the institution
and those who work within it, and creating
inappropriate relationships within the work
place that may create a hostile work environ
ment for others. Those in supervisorial posi
tions should refrain from asking subordinate
employees to complete work outside of their
official job descriptions without additional
compensation, status change, or special com
mendations.
A professional workplace will increase
productivity, efficiency, improve morale, and
will increase employee satisfaction and re
tention. Creating this environment is not the
sole responsibility of the supervisor, but of all
employees. A workplace is a type of family,
and all families have conflict. Good conflict
moves people to action and can make an
institution stronger. Bad conflict stifles pro
ductivity, creates resentment and anger, and
diminishes the credibility of the institution.
The key to avoiding bad conflict is have clear
rules and procedures in place concerning pro
fessional conduct, employ good communica
tion habits with colleagues and customers,
and acknowledging unprofessional conduct
for what it is and addressing that conduct im
mediately.
MOVIEREVIEW
Limitless
reaches its limits
By Brianna Murrell
Voice staff writer
Officially released in movie theaters on
March 18, Limitless is a film filled with ac
tion, adventure, and suspense. It is based on
the book The Dark Fields by Alan Glynn
with the screenplay by Leslie Dixon. Di
rected by Neil Burger, the movie’s cast in
cludes Bradley Cooper, Robert De Niro and
Abbie Cornish. Previews and trailers boast
the tagline, “What if a pill could make you
rich and powerful?”
A very thought provoking film, viewers
are forced to step into the shoes of Eddie
Morra (Bradley Cooper), a struggling New
York City writer who is on the brink of los
ing his book offer, his apartment and his
relationship. With no type of motivation
or drive to begin his book, Morra takes a
break. Morra runs into a family member
who gives him an experimental drug. Morra
finds that the drug allows him to use 100%
of his mind and increases his intelligence.
Addicted to the drug, Morra has to have
more and thus the journey begins. He finds
his “supplier” murdered in his home, and
with no one present, Morra steals his money
and the secret stash of the drug. He begins
to create a new image for himself With the
drug he is able to complete his book and
then enters the stock market. Taking an
exceedingly unusual amount of the drug,
Morra begins to experience the side effects.
Throughout the rest of the movie, Morra is
confronted by individuals, good and bad,
who are linked to the drug. It is his mission
to keep his secret, as well as his life.
Limitless was a suspenseful movie, but
not one to be taken too serious. Filled with
numerous comedic moments, this isn’t the
movie to see if intense thrills are desired.
With the main character also being in the
cast of the popular movie, The Hangover, it
may be hard to separate Bradley Cooper’s
two roles - the school teacher who steals
students’ field trip money for his Las Vegas
trip and a writer who is now intelligent be
yond belief by taking a pill.
Not the best movie, but the plot is stimu
lating. Thoughts of a pill that increases
knowledge - what does the future truly
hold?
RESTAURANTREVIEW
Home cooking,
southern style
By Alicia Bayat
Voice Editor-in-Chief
“Do you remember Chason’s on Lumber-
bridge Rd?” When someone first told me
about Grandson’s restaurant in Hopemills,
it didn’t sound very appealing. But it’s com
parison to Chason’s suddenly brought it all
back, the rustic atmosphere, the candlelight
and the smell of Southern food, absolutely
divine.
Chason’s was a little family-owned,
country restaurant out on Lumber Bridge
Rd where everyone always seemed to
go eat. The food must have been good if
people drove from Fort Bragg and Fayette
ville towards Lumberton just for lunch. It
was this log cabin type restaurant with an
all-you-can-eat buffett. The Chason’s on
Lumberbridge Rd, burned down a few years
ago and was relocated to Fayetteville. It lost
some of it’s atmosphere but still has the
same Southern style cuisine.
I took my chances and headed to Grand
son’s restaurant in Grays Creek.
It was exactly as I expected as I walked
through the door, the split rail entryway,
little country restaurant feel was all too fa
miliar.. I walked through the line and picked
out a glass of sweet tea I could smell the
tangy fried shrimp mixed with a sweetness
that could only be pecan pie.
It was a smaller version of Chason’s but
the atmosphere and food was definitely fa
miliar. I decided to try a little of everything.
After all it is an all-you-can-eat. Buffet’s
aren’t really good for me, I can’t eat very
much so I end up nibbling on a little of this
and a little of that.
They had everything from meatloaf,
mashed potatoes with brown gravy, to fried
catfish and hushpuppies. Then I found the
fried shrimp with a little touch of sweetness.
I had a little of the country style steak with
brown gravy, and cheesy potatoes. I had to
taste the chicken and pastry and the dirty
rice. I topped that off with a taste of peach
cobbler.
They also have a frill salad bar and bread
section.
see REVIEW, page 7