Are Manners Missing in Your Workplace?

Are Manners Missing in Your Workplace?

There are two kinds of manners, good and bad. Good manners are capable of generating positive vibrations while bad manners can lead to massive loss. In today's workplace, many of us have witnessed the decline of good manners and ethics which has given rise to conflicts, division, toxic work environments, and the loss of good employees.

Where did good manners and ethics go? Do not fret. We can restore them through learning, teaching, and practicing etiquette. Etiquette is often characterized by the rules that govern good behaviors like tolerance, generosity, politeness, forgiveness, courtesy, chivalry, respect, and kindness.

Here are a few reasons organizations fail when manners are missing inside the workplace:

Impoliteness and rudeness
Most business owners and managers who are rude to their workers, demand everything be productive and beneficial to the company. A recent study in Florida found that impoliteness and rudeness are contributing factors to the loss of good employees and another study asserted that almost 3 million workers (in different industries) around the world are forced to leave their job because of rude behaviors they face from their boss or coworkers.

Forgetting Business Etiquette
Employees with poor business etiquette skills create a divisive work environment that promotes disrespect and toxic interactions toward coworkers and employers. The purpose of good business etiquette is to utilize proper and professional communication and engagement. It does not matter if you are a regular employee, manager or executive; it is essential for you to convey positive communication and engagement to all coworkers. Several businesses in America hold soft skills training sessions to teach basic business etiquette to their employees on all levels so the organization can succeed and thrive when it comes to manners, respect, and professionalism. Two main focal points often streamlined throughout most staff training and development sessions are —

Think before you say anything.
Your words matter and have an impact and influence on the overall work climate each day. Consider your words before sharing them, and when in doubt, choose to use a positive approach to help promote and foster a professional and well-mannered work environment.

It is always the right time to do what is right.
A successful and thriving organization makes ethics and good manners a set standard, a goal for all employees to strive for and accomplish each day. Employees who violate the established ethics rules set forth by the organization must face the consequences for their unacceptable actions. Integrity is about behavior and character that is honest and trustworthy. Employees who have integrity are transparent in their actions and willing to do the right thing no matter the situation, even if they find themselves in a position where no one else is watching or will find out.

Failing to understand and accept differences in others When employees fail to accept and appreciate each other's differences, their toxic behavior causes silos and conflicts to coexist within the workplace. Encouraging acceptance of other people is a more complex task than simply saying this is what we will all do daily. It’s true that nothing in the world should be more important than your values, integrity, fairness, and honesty. Yet, we do misbehave in proving ourselves, from time to time, at work. Here's where the leadership inside your workplace has to step up and in. Leaders on all levels must lead by example and educate the staff on why it is essential to strive to understand better and accept differences in others. Leaders should also hold forums to allow employees to openly and honestly discuss the best ways to promote teamwork and create a cohesive professional work environment. When employees on all levels inside your organization become more accepting of differences towards one another, silos and conflicts will begin to disappear, and team cohesiveness and success will increase.

If you are also looking for ways to avoid misbehaving and to foster good etiquette habits, look at the list below to help make your goals possible.

• Call out and stay out of the office when you are truthfully ill.
• Do not talk rudely to anyone when you are frustrated or stressed.
• Communicate positively and share a friendly smile.
• Always say "Thank you," "Please," and "I apologize."
• Share your productive and constructive thoughts and feedback.
• Admit your mistakes, be accountable at all times.
• Do not take everything personally or feel that you control the universe at work.
• Practice forgiveness.
• Manage your schedule and time effectively.
• Clear up all confusions, and swiftly resolve conflicts.
• Respect and work cohesively with internal and external customers, daily.
• Give your best efforts, consistently.
• Keep your phone silent or off during meetings.
• Try not to delay or hinder any project.
• Be attentive and respond promptly.
• Keep your home issues at home.
• Never wear revealing or inappropriate clothes to work.
• Never scream or negatively communicate at others.

Your company or team mission is very important. Consistently spreading good manners will not only strengthen your professional mindset and success at work, but it will also help build the professional mindset and work success of those around you. It's a win-win all the way around.

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About the Author: Ty Howard,
Mr. Untie the Knots®,
Freeing Maximal Business, Performance, and Human Potential Daily

Ty Howard is an internationally recognized authority on organizational and managerial practices that optimize employee performance and success. He is the creator and lead facilitator of the trademarked "Untie the Knots® Optimal Performance Process," and the author of Untie the Knots®: Improving Habits, Choices, People, Relationships, Performance and Results, as well as dozens of published articles on employee and organizational performance and development worldwide. For information on his programs and services, visit: http://www.tyhoward.com.

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