INTRODUCTION
Some regard etiquette as an old-fashioned word. In conjures up memories of “the good old days” when everyone knew their place and acted accordingly. Somehow the perception that etiquette is only relevant for fancy situations, such as formal dinners and wedding receptions, or that it is all about arcane etiquette deals with much more than which fork to use for the salad course or where to put your napkin. In the ever-changing modern office environment, basic etiquette can teach you how to deal with almost any situation that comes your way. That’s because etiquette is really about respect and leadership-taking the time to put people at ease, evaluating the needs and intentions of others and thinking before you act. In other words, good manners are critical for advancing your career in business.
The value of etiquette is far reaching: it helps build better relationships, it helps us present ourselves positively, it aids in communication and it effectuates confidence in social situations. This is particularly true in the modern office environment where gender balances have shifted, new technology has created the need for new protocol and “casual Fridays” leave us wondering how it is we’re supposed to dress. Certainly everyone can remember a time when they floundered with the guidelines for behavior in a particularly memorable business situation. Remember your first job interview? First business luncheon? Or the first time you were invited to the boss’s house for drinks? In each awkward situation uncertainty about the “rules” left us insecure and vulnerable.
This book is a clear and concise guide to basic business etiquette: how to make a good first impression, how and when to make introductions, how to deal with bosses, co-workers and employees, gender roles in business, basic tips on technology, and how to dress in any business situation. All of the information in the book relates to the basic rule of etiquette, which is putting others at ease. Etiquette is simply a way to be aware of others, and to treat them as we would like to be treated. When clients or customers feel comfortable with us, they are more likely to retain our services. When a boss and co-workers find us easy to work with, he or she is more likely to overlook our shortcomings.
Finally, when a boss is able to put employees at ease, those employees are usually more motivated, more likely to remain at their jobs, and more likely to work hard for their boss and the company.
In writing this book, we- the experts at CivilityExperts.com wanted to put the reader at ease. For this reason, we’ve included not only clear and easy-to-find information, but some fun “bad examples” too. Characters like Ivana Talkalot and Mr. Monotonous pop up on occasion to remind us that no matter how concerned with self-improvement we are, there is always someone worse off!
Finally, our goal is to bring civility back in style and make our workplaces better places to be. We at CivilityExperts.com have been encouraged by the positive press and interest from the public in general in our business etiquette and civility workshops. We offer the In Good Company Series for business people because we firmly believe that good manners are good business.
Are you an offender?
About 96 percent of Americans have experienced incivility at work. Here’s what it looks like:
– Taking credit for others’ efforts
– Passing blame for your own mistakes
– Checking e-mail or texting during a meeting
– Sending bad news through e-mail so you don’t have to face the recipient
– Talking down to others
– Not listening
– Spreading rumors about colleagues
– Setting others up for failure
– Not saying “please” or “thank you”
– Showing up late or leaving a meeting early with no explanation
– Belittling others’ efforts
– Leaving snippy voice mail or e-mail messages
– Forwarding others’ e-mail to make them look bad
– Making demeaning or derogatory remarks to someone
– Withholding information
– Failing to return phone calls or respond to e-mail
– Leaving a mess for others to clean up
– Consistently grabbing easy tasks while leaving difficult ones for others
– Shutting someone out of a network or team
– Paying little attention or showing little interest in others’ opinions