Develop your professional etiquette with these 4 easy steps
Written by Nivita Sriram
While more casual work settings are becoming increasingly popular, maintaining a standard of professionalism in the workplace is crucial for teamwork. While not all standards of professionalism should be maintained, maintaining professional etiquette, whether it be during face-to-face meetings or through screens, is key to equal partnerships.
Let’s dive into tips on professional etiquette.
1. Get a feel for the environment
Understand the “vibes” of the workplace, whether you are in person or offline. If people are casual in their language, clothing and demeanor, try to match that. You wouldn’t speak to your boss with the same tone and language as your friend, but you can still get to know them. If your workplace tends to be more formal with a specific dress code and follows a hierarchy, make sure you have a proper understanding of this. Don’t go behind your boss’s back or sideline and make decisions without approval unless directed to do so. A good rule of thumb is to match those you are surrounded by who are at the same level of position as you.
2. Work on emotional intelligence
It is always a learning curve and never-ending process. Understanding the temperaments, emotions and moods that your co-workers, bosses and higher-ups go through is crucial in navigating the workplace. If you can sense that your boss is stressed, it may not be the right time to bring up wanting a promotion or raise. If you can sense a co-worker is going through a lot and is overwhelmed, ask if they need help. Get to know your office, and make an effort in maintaining relationships. It’s important and makes work more enjoyable.
3. Use proper email etiquette
Don’t communicate via email or instant messaging systems that your company uses like you are texting a friend. Capitalization, punctuation, structure and your greeting are key. Always start with a formal greeting, wish them well and get to the point of why you are reaching out to them. Have a call to action? Be sure to add it at the end. If you have multiple questions, bullet point a list in the email so that it’s clear to the reader. Use proper signatures — don’t just end the email without saying “Sincerely,” “Best,” “Warmly” or thanking whomever you are emailing. You want email communications to be quick, clarify any doubts and get projects moving along. Remember to always proofread anything you write and send off, whether it be articles, emails, messages or projects.
4. Build integrity, honesty and be kind
Work can get stressful sometimes, and the pressure piles on. We may not have the right relationships with everyone in the office, but it’s important to say hi to those in the office, ask others how they are doing and be open and honest. Take accountability for your actions — if something went wrong under your watch, own up to it and move forward by learning from a mistake that may have happened. It isn’t the end of the world. Build relationships and get to know your teammates. If you don’t know someone in the office, introduce yourself and ask about their role. If you are comfortable, ask individuals in your office to get coffee, or grab lunch if they have time. Networking within the office is important, too — it shows your company how dedicated you are in and out of your responsibilities.
Although it may be confusing at first, the best way to go about following professional etiquette is to match and understand the environment of your workplace. If you’re unsure, ask teammates, co-workers, human resources or your boss. Be yourself. While work culture may be changing in some offices, it’s important to maintain a level of professionalism no matter how casual the work culture may become. However, it is OK to push back against discriminatory practices and culture. Some professionalism aspects may not always be ethical or work-relevant. Follow these tips, and overtime, professional etiquette and behavior will become second nature.
Header photo by (Alexander Suhorucov / Pexels)
