I recently read an article on manners and it had an impact
on me so here I go piggybacking on that topic.
As an HR professional, I often work with individuals/teams on
appropriate professional behavior or team dysfunction. This is not an everyday occurrence but
happens nonetheless – manners on the other hand are a different story. Good manners should be habit for everyone,
especially when interacting in business.
People remember good manners – it isn’t a generational thing either,
good and bad manners are apparent in all generations. I think in today’s society with everyone
always face down on their smart phones or running from one a appointment to the
other, society as a whole has dropped the ball on manners. If you want to stand out as an employee,
potential candidate, business leader, business owner, etc. good manners are
important. Here are a few things that drive
people crazy when they’re not done and also some general ‘be nice’ tips as you
walk (or run) through your day:
·
Answer emails promptly, even if it’s just to
acknowledge that you received it but don’t have the response ready yet
·
Answer meeting invitations promptly as well
·
If you can’t make a meeting time, try and
suggest another time
·
On that note, be on time to meetings – everyone
is busy so that is no excuse for being late
·
Say thank you for a meeting
·
Ask how someone’s day is going
·
Don’t text or scroll your phone while in a
meeting
·
Make sure you thank someone for a job interview
·
Thank someone if they helped you out in any way
·
If you run in to someone and you’re with someone
else, please introduce them
·
Add a salutation before your email message and
after
·
Capitalize people’s names in correspondence
·
Don’t interrupt people when they are trying to
make a point
·
Be respectful of ‘normal’ work hours – don’t
call at 9 PM unless a real emergency
Remember the golden rule…