Etiquette Why we need good manners at work

Etiquette Why we need good manners at workEtiquette Why we need good manners at workHave you ever wanted to scream at a coworker for banging too loudly on his keyboard? Have you ever been guilty of doing something just as annoyingyourself?The workplace is filled with instances in which we interact with others. That means lots ofopportunities to drive otherscrazyand make social faux pas.At best, these etiquette mistakes are merely the source of pet peeves at worst, theycould hold back your career.Ladders spoke with Jacqueline Whitmore, an etiquette expert and the author of Poised for Success and Business Classabout how simple acts of professionalism can help yoube successful.Ladders Why is etiquette in the workplace so important? Whitmore Its vital because its the soft skills that really help a rolle excel. Technical skills are important, but technical skills can only get you so far in life. Then you have to have people skills.As you move up the ladder of success, youmoveinto more pos itions where you have to deal with people. Whether you sit on boards or go to networking events, you are representing your company.If you dont have people skills or know how to interact with others - via email or in person- youre going to tarnish elend only your own reputation but also the reputation of the company.What are some examples of mistakespeople make at work? Sending an email to someone littered with poor grammar and misspelled words, not addressing the person properly, or copying everyone and their brother.Not dressing appropriately for certain events. This happens whensomeone isdressed too casual, and they dont realize it.Not knowing how to talk to people at networking events. This happens when someone issent to a conference where theyre supposed to meet new people, and they dont know how to make a conversation or how to introduce themselves.Having bad conduct at a dinner. This happens when someoneorders the wrong thing, or too much food, or chews with their mouth full, or drinks too much alcohol.The list goes on and on.What aboutannoying habits in open bros? Thats when people are eating foods that are pungent and permeate the office. Or a person is talking too loudly on his phone.Or hes clipping his fingernails. Or hes listening to something like YouTube and not wearing headphones. Or hes taking off his shoes.I hear these stories all the time. You would think people know better.How should wedeal with these situations?Etiquette is situational. Its not black and white. What might work for you in your office environment might not work for someone else.My broad advice is to treat others how you would like to be treated. Realize that you dont work in a bubble.The technology age has alienated us from others. And, in a way, its made us less aware of our surroundings and less mindful.The biggest piece of advice is to develop your mindfulness. Thats so important, not only in business but in life. Think about how your behavior affects other people.And sayt hank you, say please - just basic advicethat we were supposed to be taught as children but we seem to forget.How should wecommunicate with coworkersabout etiquette?It depends on what theyre doing. There are so many variables for this kind of situation, which changes how you could approach them and what you should say to them. Its not a canned speech.But the main thing is to approach them directly and diplomatically instead of going over their head, because thats the surefire way to make enemies.Try to be nice. Instead of saying you, you, you, use I statements. You could say something like Im not as productive when you do that. That way its not pointing a finger at them.Has anything surprised you aboutteaching etiquette to executives?Im surprised most people dont get it.But when you think about it, were dealing with multiple generations in the workplace, from Gen. X, Gen. Y to Baby Boomers.The way in which we deal with people of a certain age is different. The way you would send an email to a Baby Boomer may not be the way youd send an email to a colleague who is 22-years-old.So its not necessarily common sense any more.Whats the future of workplace etiquette? People are definitely working more independently now. Millennials like to work on their own times on their own terms. As long as they get the job done, their bosses are fine with that.But we cant lose sight of working with a team. When you work with a team, you work with different personalities, and you have to deal with different personalities. And thats the hard part.Its important to learnhow to deal with people and communicate with people in the way they like to be communicated.Thats why its very important to develop your soft skills and for companies to do soft-skill training. In the long term, its going to increase the success of the company because people are the success of the company.If you believe, like, and trust someone, youre more likely to do business with them.After all, someone would rathe r work with someone whos easygoing and trainable versus the jerk who is the technical genius.