Each profession requires a certain set of manners. It is these manners that are known as professional etiquette. It is usually respected by absolutely all members of the organization.
Just think for a moment what kind of communication in the working circle would be if professional etiquette were not respected. It is unlikely that business partners would be able to reach agreements in adverse conditions, and colleagues would simply not respect each other's opinion and position. It is worth considering what are the basics of professional and service etiquette, what are they based on and what is their task.
What is it and why comply?
Business etiquette is an opportunity to maintain a pleasant atmosphere at work, a polite and respectful attitude to management, colleagues and downstream employees. Rules of professional etiquette may differ slightly from each other in different organizations. However, there are some universal provisions that are applicable almost everywhere and for most professional industries.
The goal of professional ethics and business etiquette is to build valuable and respectable business relationships with colleagues and partners. This moment is very important for any company or enterprise, as it creates an environment in which all members of the organization feel safe, comfortable and relaxed.
Now that it has become clear why business etiquette is necessary, it is worth considering what its basic rules are. Remembering them, any person will be able to appear before partners and colleagues in the form of a polite interlocutor, whom it is pleasant to deal with.
When presenting, you always need to get up
In an office or just in a business environment, any person should stand up when they introduce him to someone or represent them in a company of several people. If a person cannot stand up because he was taken by surprise, he should try to at least tilt the case forward or reach out for a shake.
Gratitude must be appropriate and restrained
Many people often make the mistake of expressing gratitude to colleagues or partners. If the word "thank you" is repeated several times, it will lose its value.
When a person is rendered a service, he tries to emphasize that it is important and pleasant for him, but sometimes emotions gain the upper hand and expressing gratitude turns into a stream of useless showers of compliments and honors. However, professional ethics and etiquette do not accept this. It is important to remember that you cannot thank a person in a conversation more than once or (maximum) twice, otherwise it will make the grateful look a little desperate and helpless.
Before you enter someone’s office, you need to knock
A person’s office is his personal space. Do not violate someone’s boundaries, simply breaking into it. A knock on the door is a signal that the door will now open and someone will enter. A person has a few seconds to interrupt labor activity, tune in and pay attention to the incoming.
You should never enter without warning. If we are talking about labor activity, then no one has absolutely no right to interrupt someone else’s work with a careless appearance, because a person at a particular moment performs his functions that were entrusted to him. It is important to respect someone else’s space and privacy.
If the door to the office is open (but it is clear that a person is immersed in work), you should warn about his appearance. To do this, just gently knock on the doorway.
Crossing should be avoided.
Crossing your legs in a business environment or during a meeting is extremely inappropriate. Although both men and women tend to do this very often. However, this pose should be avoided at all costs.
If for some reason you need to cross your legs, it is important to make sure that the cross occurs in the ankles, not the knees. Experienced businessmen or just professional managers know that crossing legs or arms is a signal that indicates that a person simply does not want to continue communication or does not agree with the opinion of others. But why give others the opportunity to read themselves in gestures, like an open book? It’s better not to compromise yourself with your own behavior and maintain endurance in any situation.
Index sign should be made with open hand.
Often a pointing gesture is used in a business environment. It can be used by a person when he wants to draw the attention of listeners to something (a chart, a document, a table, etc.) or in order to point to someone. As a rule, the second option is most often used by the commanding staff or top managers.
No matter what subtext this gesture has, it should be made so that the index finger points to the object, the remaining fingers are not pressed to the palm of the hand, and the palm itself was open upwards. Thus, the pointing gesture will be softer and will not cause bad associations.
Do not interrupt anyone
The opinion of any employee can be of great importance in the work, and everyone (to the extent of their authority) can express comments in a group discussion. However, one must observe the limits of decency and speak out in accordance with the approved (publicly or secretly) regulations.
If there is a need to object or supplement the speech of the speaking person, then, according to professional etiquette of communication, you need to wait until the opportunity arises to speak. But to interrupt other people is not worth it.
Need to keep track of your statements.
Everyone can face a situation where a colleague or subordinate causes extreme irritation. No matter how acute the situation may be, you need to stay calm and watch out for words.
If we talk about profanity or obscene words, this is an absolute taboo from the point of view of professional etiquette. Oral and written communication should always be polite and respectful. It is important to control yourself and not to allow rudeness, humiliation or neglect in your expressions to colleagues, subordinates or business partners.
Need to stay away from gossip
Indulging in office gossip can be very tempting, but it is worth remembering that you should stay away from this. Gossip about colleagues not only spoils their image in the organization, but also says that the people who discuss them are no better.
Even if curiosity lures, you should not join colleagues who discuss rumors about other people. Especially need to refrain from commenting.
Punctuality counts
No matter how busy a person is or how high his post in the organization is, you should always come in time for meetings and meetings. Being late says that a person is inattentive and does not respect the time of other people.
If for any reason you have to linger, it is better to warn about it. You can do this yourself or through a personal assistant.
Keep your phone away during negotiations and meetings.
You cannot receive calls, reply to text messages, or view emails during business meetings. This is extremely annoying to others and speaks of disrespect for other people present at the meeting.
You must also ensure that your phone remains silent while attending meetings, business meetings, or meetings. This will give confidence that a sudden call does not interfere with other participants in the meeting and does not overwhelm the speaker.
Do not push the chair to your partners or colleagues
In a social setting, it is acceptable for a man to look after a girl when she sits down at a table. To do this, he comes to the back of the chair and pushes it when she sits down.
However, in a professional atmosphere this is unacceptable and rude, especially outside the CIS countries. According to etiquette in professional activities, men and women in the workplace are considered equal.
You must not leave the event before the leader does it.
It is absolutely rude and unacceptable for a subordinate to leave a corporate event or party before the commanding staff leaves. As a rule, directors do not linger on general festivities.
Therefore, if a person does not want or cannot stay with the team for any reason, you need to wait until the event leaves the head. After that, you can apologize and leave the venue.
Food etiquette
Food should only be consumed in the dining room or cafe. Dine at the workplace, according to professional etiquette, is considered tactless. Especially if the workspace has to be shared with other colleagues.
If for some reason there is no way to get to the dining room, it is important to make sure that the food that you have to eat in the office does not have an unpleasant odor. Also in such a situation, it is necessary to clean up after yourself immediately after a meal.
Conclusion
This article introduced the basic rules of professional etiquette that are recognized worldwide. Of course, in different countries they will be supplemented based on local customs or culture. However, the most important thing for any business person is to know the basis of business ethics, and certain nuances can be honed already during his professional career.