Dishevelled hair, annoying burps and slurping sounds, exaggerated yawns, pulled up trousers with socks rolled down to ankles topped with boisterous guffaws. What an incendiary combination to so not do business with. Even if one fourth of the faux pas applies to you, it’s really time to pull up those socks, and gear up for some serious consideration towards corporate etiquette.
The inexplicable dilemma the society confronts today is that we are progressing at a stellar scale in terms of technology, media and connectedness. Rapidly sliding into glitz, glamour and ostentation like there is no tomorrow, but the decline of substance from our being is also surfacing with the same speed as our indulgence in the superficial. There is a palpable decline in our general standards of behaviour.
What was frowned upon a decade ago is taken as a norm today. The custom of greeting people older than you in the morning has been replaced with a casual ‘Hi’ or mere nods. This by the way is the visible trend in the so-called ‘literate’ circles. It clearly leaves one wondering about the accepted mannerisms adopted by the educated versus the uneducated. In this case, the cultured segment exhibiting the most detestable traits of behaviour by and large. The illiterate can hardly be blamed due to lack of exposure to the prescribed civilised way of life. But the worst of the lot are those, who have the faculties to grasp the acceptable versus the non acceptable. This privileged group of people are apparently laced with formidable local or foreign college degrees but haplessly fall short on the count of courtesy and mannerisms. This unfortunate lot is indeed educated with text books but seems to lack the development and training of a genteel nature.
Quite sadly, this bent of mind is then carried forth into the corporate world. When we see a colleague speaking out of turn in a meeting, shouting across cubicles or assuming an undignified stance in the presence of a female colleague, we can trace it back to how well-bred this individual has been. We are all ambassadors of our families. The way we carry ourselves and behave speaks volumes about our upbringing. Small acts have far reaching consequences.
It has never been in fashion to act lewd or suggestive around a female colleague. The way one must sit across and conduct oneself must be totally aligned with norms of decency.
The body language should be modest at all times. No matter how much of a buddy you may see in your colleague, physical contact especially hugs and ‘public displays of affection’ should be strictly avoided. Brushing a colleague by the arm, or a gentle pat on the shoulder can sometimes be used only as a way to motivate a colleague from the team but not beyond that. Should the same motivation tactic be employed with a female colleague then rest assured, there is a workplace harassment bill enforced now. Lest you end up in the courts of law, don’t stake your reputation.
Calling each other by the first names despite decades of age difference is considered an ‘in’ thing! It is a good idea to borrow superior modus operandi from the global village, but it needs to be glocalised with our indigenous garnish of local social customs. Giving respect is never outdated and referring to someone who is ten years or so ahead in age, with an appellation of ‘Mr. or Ms.’ would neither hurt the ego nor twist the tongue muscles a tad bit. For example Ali Rizvi should be addressed as Mr. Rizvi appropriately and not Mr. Ali or Ali. Referring just to the last name i.e. Rizvi is both crass and insulting.
In Urdu ‘you’ has the informal and formal versions :‘tum’ and ‘aap’. In business settings it is always advisable to use respectful and formal words. These small things testify impeccable values which undeniably achieve high regard.
In a meeting, participation doesn’t only come about by yelling and barking to prove your point. Neither the setting is meant to replicate a political talk show. The idea is to listen to and not merely hear the other person’s view point. There’s a fine line between the two. Adopt active listening attitude when with a group of people. You may not necessarily agree with the other person but you can respect the other person’s views. Disagreements should be dealt with harmony and grace. Be ready to accept the alternate view point and make amends accordingly to reach a peaceful conclusion. Use of expletives in heated discussions or general conversations are completely unacceptable and it is unbecoming to see a professional stooping to this unpalatable degree. Often the lame excuse is that the abusive language wasn’t meant for the person but for the subject under discussion. According to Rudyard Kipling, ‘Words are the most powerful drug used by mankind’. One has to be very careful about the choice of words. They brand our class acts.
Business etiquettes vouch for credibility and image. Bellowing or high pitched running commentary on the market situation on the phone in an open floor plan is never in good taste. Neither barging into someone’s cubicle unannounced nor hanging around there for long chats and gossips is classy. Peeking into the computer screens of colleagues or snooping around papers at each other’s desks only shows pettiness. Opening the colleague’s desk drawers even to pull out the stapler isn’t a sign of cronyism but lack of respect for the other person’s privacy. Intercom ringers must be set low so as to not disturb the peace of fellow colleagues. Yelling across the hall should be best left to the domestic arena if the better half permits. Cell phone ringers should be on vibration mode and certainly not play the latest Bollywood item song as a ring tone.
It takes only 21 days to form a habit and 100 days for it to become automatic. If we adopt these simple habits which reflect a sophisticated and refined character, we carve ourselves out for epic success. Champions are made by inches only. This brings me to something I read somewhere, “Sow a thought and you reap an action; sow an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit and you reap a character; sow a character and you reap a destiny.”