Petal Four: My Favorite Working Conditions

This petal is to help determine which type of work environment I thrive in. I will be analyzing all the places I have worked and their good and bad characteristics.

Places I Have Worked Thus Far in My Life

• California Tortilla
• Hampton Inn & Suites
• Temple University Bookstore
• Temple University Diamond Peer Teacher Program
• Temple University Department of Spanish & Portuguese
• Temple University Student Athlete Academic & Advising Center
• Main Street Diner
• Aflac
• WC Eagles Field Hockey

I Have Learned from the Past That My Effectiveness at Work is Decreased When I Have to Work Under These Conditions

• Long periods of standing in place
• Smell of work environment stays in clothes
• Uniform required
• Had to be at work too early
• Isolated environment
• Did not have full employee access to equipment and programs
• Very unstructured
• Not enough to do
• Small office without windows
• Distracting atmosphere
• Located in unsafe neighborhood
• Competitive environment
• Had to work on holidays
• Too cold in office
• Noisy while trying to use the phone
• Extremely busy followed by extremely dead

Characteristics of Work Environments That I Think Would Increase My Effectiveness

*This step is not in ‘What Color is Your Parachute? 2016’ but I felt like it needed to be included in my work environment assessment.

• Colorful and creative design
• Neat and clean
• Busy to make time pass quickly
• Convenient schedule
• Flexible schedule
• My own office
• Windows to let in light
• Updated computer systems and technology
• Paid vacation for holidays
• Busy, but not overwhelming

The next step to this exercise is to prioritize the order of importance for the working conditions that weren’t conducive to me using the grid below. However, I am going to prioritize the opposite of the aforementioned working conditions and add my list of traits that would increase my effectiveness above. The grid below is for ten items; I will be using another grid provided in the book for prioritizing 24 items or less.

I Believe My Effectiveness Would Be at an Absolute Maximum, If I Could Work Under These Conditions

1. Paid holidays and vacations given
2. Convenient schedule
3. Busy, but not overwhelmingly busy
4. Windows in the office
5. Up-to-date technology
6. Daily human interaction
7. Relaxed dress code
8. Neat and clean office
9. Supportive work environment
10. Non-distracting office atmosphere

*All images and notes are taken from “What Color Is Your Parachute? 2016” by Richard Bolles.