Building Document Author / Technical Editor Relationships
By: Laura Kilgore
Since starting my current position as a Technical Editor three years ago, members of our team have done two different personality assessments, which we then shared amongst ourselves. Each time, however, I have been reluctant to participate, as I balk at the idea of categorizing people. I don’t want to define you by an acronym, color, or animal; I want to actually get to know you as a person.
Ironically, my relational personality type explains why I dislike personality assessments. Whatever my feelings about these systems, they have helped me realize two very important things: relationships in the workplace are vital, and everyone relates in very different ways.
Over these past three years, I’ve noticed certain things really help form and improve these relationships. The following tips may come naturally to some, but they are aspects of communication that can be honed and perfected.
