“Students must Acquire Office Etiquette” - Professor M.S.Rao

“Your manners are always under examination, and by committees little suspected, awarding or denying you very high prizes when you least think of it.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Office etiquette is an utmost important impression management tool that either makes or breaks your professional survival. If you observe certain precautions and adopt the essential etiquette your survival and success rate enhances in the workplace.  We will discuss office etiquette in this article.  

Before discussing office etiquette it is essential to understand the meaning of etiquette.  Etiquette is all about your manners and how you behave with others with polite and consideration.  It is how your present yourself in social surroundings.  Will Cuppy defines, “Etiquette means behaving yourself a little better than is absolutely essential.”

In the workplace, you must know how to behave with your colleagues, superiors and subordinates.  Also you must know how to handle your visitors.   It requires office etiquette to deal various stakeholders professionally.  You must know what is right and wrong, and what is accepted and appreciated practices and behavior to impress others, and to get the tasks executed successfully.

Although office etiquette varies across organizations, cultures and countries there are certain commonly accepted and adopted practices every employee must observe in the workplace. Here are a few things to observe in the workplace to promote fraternity, better understanding and ultimately enhancing performance and productivity.

•              Don’t enter into other’s cubicle or cabin without permission.

•              Don’t use other person’s computer system without seeking permission.

•              Don’t sit on other person’s chair meant for him or her.

•              Don’t speak loudly as it irritates others.

•              Don’t go to office late.  Be punctual.

•              Don’t meddle into others’ personal affairs. Stick to office work and discuss about work activities, not into somebody’s personal issues.

•              Don’t provide unsolicited advices to others.

•              Avoid gossip and spreading rumors. Such people are not respected in the corporate world.

•              Avoid office romance.

•              Don’t indulge in organizational politics.

•              Don’t carry forward the information.

•              Don’t use office stationery for your personal work.

•              Don’t use slang.  Use polished and professional language.

•              Maintain proper dress code.

•              Knock the door, and seek the permission to enter others’ room.

•              Make sure that your personal visitors meet you after your working hours.

•              Use ‘thank you’ and ‘please’ as and when needed. 

•              Keep your workplace neat and clean the way you maintain in your home.

•              Draw a fine line between your professional and personal relations.

•              Control your emotions and especially anger. Workplace is not meant for venting out your anger.

•              Value the time of your colleagues.    

•              Treat women with dignity.

•              Respect all communities and appreciate the differences.

However big performer you may be, you must observe etiquette to create good impression among others and promote good relations. Remember that minor things make a major difference.  Treat others the way you want to be treated.

Students must learn office etiquette skills while in educational institution itself so that they will be able to create good impression in the workplace and grow professionally.  Etiquette is an integral part of professionalism, and it is treated as a subset of soft skills. Hence, students must learn the basic etiquette including office etiquette to quicken their career advancement.

Students must understand that good manners will help them stand firmly on the feet. Most of the students focus more on hard skills rather than soft skills.  They must realize that minor things like soft skills matter a lot more in the workplace than the major things like hard skills.  Clarence Thomas rightly said, “Good manners will open the best doors that education cannot.” To conclude students must observe, acquire, and practice right manners while they are in the educational institutions so that they find it comfortable in the corporate world

“Don't reserve your best behavior for special occasions. You can't have two sets of manners, two social codes - one for those you admire and want to impress, another for those whom you consider unimportant. You must be the same to all people.” - Lillian Eichler Watson

Professor M.S.Rao

Founder, MSR Leadership Consultants, India

Email: profmsr12@gmail.com

Blog: http://professormsrao.blogspot.com

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