There is Always a Time and Place for Etiquette in Your Workplace
By Gayle A. Brazeau, Ph.D.
In our contemporary and complex workplace, we as employees are provided with opportunities to enhance our skill sets needed for success and advancement. These programs often focus, for example, on how to be more effective and productive, how to work collaboratively in team environments, navigating and utilizing new tools and programs needed to complete our position requirements and expectations, and how to enhance our individual leadership skills and talents. We often find ourselves being pulled in countless directions leading to a sense of frustration, isolation, and urgency as we work to achieve our daily goals and assignments. What can get lost is the importance of simple rules of etiquette in our daily interpersonal interactions with our workplace colleagues.
Workplace etiquette is one of the simplest ways that we each can improve the culture in our organization. Etiquette, for many of us, was one of the first set of norms of personal behaviors that we learned from our parents and family members. We can think of it as a set of expected behaviors and codes of conduct in a polite society. If we think of business etiquette, this can involve how we act in the workplace, how we communicate with others, how we interact in meetings, other behaviors associated with professionalism and how we behave in social settings associated with meals, gatherings, and other activities. Simply remembering and demonstrating five simple elements of etiquette in our organizations enables you to contribute to promoting a positive culture and build effective relationships with your workplace colleagues.
1. Individuals may leave an organization due to a sense of anonymity or not being recognized as a unique individual. The first element of etiquette can be achieved by simply taking the time to acknowledge individuals, at all levels of an organization, through saying “good morning” or “good afternoon” or some other positive acknowledgement when first encountering them during the business day. Furthermore, even a short communication focusing on inquiring about their family or how was their evening or weekend activities or acknowledging, as appropriate, recent successes or challenges builds positive work relationships. Taking the time to further promote these social interactions, say over coffee or lunch, will help to break down potential barriers and promote inclusion in the workplace community.
2. An essential second element of any etiquette in these interactions is fully engaging with this individual by putting down your phone or stepping away from any other electronics. Simple mantras to be considered when you have your cell phone when interacting with others is “Head Up, Phone Down” for when you are in our office is to “Stand Up and Away from Your Computer or other Electronic Devices.”
3. The third simple way to promote etiquette in your office is to acknowledge or respond to meeting requests as soon as possible. If you cannot make a meeting time, please consider suggesting an alternative time for this meeting.
4. The fourth way to demonstrate etiquette and respect for others can be demonstrated by being on time for meetings. If you are going to be late or will not be able to attend a meeting because of an unforeseen event, a simple email or text to the meeting organizer shows your respect to the individual and the other individuals in attendance at the meeting.
5. The last and easiest, yet the most sophisticated way to demonstrate etiquette in the workplace involves the use of two simple words “Thank you.” The power of a sincere “Thank You” in any oral and written format can form the foundation for a positive and happy day for you and the individual who you are acknowledging and build strong trusting relationships needed in any successful team. This is the easiest way to boost morale and create job satisfaction in an organization.
The importance of etiquette in the workplace can simply be emphasized through the words of Mark Twain when he reminds us that "etiquette requires us to admire the human race." The time and energy needed to follow simple rules of etiquette is small but can be so instrumental in developing a successful career and productive workplace.