Minding Your Workplace Manners

So you've landed the dream job with that nice, fancy title which you've been eyeing for months. You jump with glee and start to daydream about your good future with the company. You then wonder which outfit will make you look your sharpest on the first day because you just want to make that good first impression.

While you're at it, it would also serve you well to remember a few pointers when it comes to behaving well in the office. You see, politesse at work is not a thing of the past. After all, who doesn't want to belong to the creme de la creme, admired and respected by many? Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1) Thou Shalt Not Spill the Beans

You happen to accidentally overhear a conversation between your colleagues about an impending resignation while fixing up a latte in the pantry. What do you do? It's best to err on the side of ignorance and pretend you didn't hear anything. You don't want to earn the reputation of a gossipmonger right? More so if you happen to brush elbows with those who belong to the C-suite. People somehow expect you to know everything. Unless published in newspapers or social media, news about buyouts, layoffs, termination or expansion should not come from you. Think twice before volunteering information that you cannot support or validate.

2) Thou Shalt Keep the Volume Down

Respecting colleagues is not just confined to non-invasion of privacy but also in making sure that you don't add up to office noise. Step out if you have to nag your boyfriend over the phone for not asking permission when he went on a drinking spree with his buddies. Your officemates don't really need to know the teeny-weeny details of your life outside work. This rule especially applies when you work in a cubicle-type setting. 

When catching someone's attention, wave and gesture if you must, but never yell. That's just dreadful. You're also doing your officemates a favor when you switch your phone to silent mode during meetings, or pick it up immediately when it rings loudly on your desk. The last thing you want to be is someone people secretly hate in the office.

3) Thou Shalt Not Use Offensive Language

Resist every urge to use foul language when discussion turns into a heated debate. Remember that it can work against you in the long run. Deal with issues, not with personalities. Even if the easiest route is to say nasty things behind a person's back, resist the urge to give in. A boss who berates a direct report is fine, but shouting to cause utter embarrassment in public (or in front of the subordinate's team members) is another. When interacting with different groups, nationalities or age, make a mental edit of your opinions before blurting them out. I once went to a job interview and had to hide my surprise when an expat CEO offhandedly expressed his derision toward a certain race. I thought of it as unbecoming for someone of his stature and calibre.

4) Thou Shalt Make the Introductions

When meeting colleagues, visitors or clients for the first time, make a good impression by doing the introductions. If in the social sphere we introduce men to women, in the workplace, the person holding a more junior role should be introduced to the senior one, regardless of gender. The name of the latter must be mentioned first. Remember too, that while teasing someone for the sake of merriment is nice, it may not be so with a new acquaintance.

Remembering these little rules will not only keep you out of trouble but it can also set you apart from the pack. It wouldn't hurt to do a self-check of the things you need to polish as far as your manners are concerned. For all you know, these might come in handy when you least expect it.