Office etiquette, or workplace etiquette, is important to our professional success and to our connection with our colleagues. The way we present ourselves and interact with others at work, such as our supervisors, coworkers, or staff members, tells a lot about who we are as a person, a team member, or a team leader.
No matter our position or profession, as elegant women, we must not forget to show proper manners at our workplace.
Workplace etiquette differs between offices and workplaces; every environment requires a different set of rules to best fit a given situation. With that being said, there are basic etiquette rules that are all but universal.
What are office etiquette and workplace etiquette?
Office etiquette, often called “workplace etiquette”, is a set of unwritten rules and norms for interactions at the workplace; it covers a wide range of aspects including body language, polite behavior, and communication.
Why is office etiquette important?
Even though some of the basic office etiquette rules can be considered as basic manners, it is important to practice proper etiquette that applies to our specific workplace.
Following proper office and workplace etiquette can help to create a mutually respectful professional atmosphere; it can improve interactions and communications and make us, and others, feel respected and comfortable.
Top office etiquette tips for refined and elegant women:
Be on time:
Time is our most precious resource. Time is important for both practical and social reasons, and therefore minding and keeping it is paramount. Not only do people rely upon their schedule to get along on a daily basis, but also their time is an integral part of their being. To be late is to show disregard for another person’s time, and, consequently, to that person.
Make an effort to be punctual regardless of the occasion. Just as you would keep an appointment or stick to a deadline, you should be on time for even the mundane moments in your day – such as arriving at work, picking your child from the kindergarten, or attending an event.
Remember: as an elegant woman, you must be respectful of the time of others in both your personal and professional lives.
Be respectful and mindful of others:
Regardless of whether you work in a private office or in a shared workspace, be respectful and mindful to those around you; in order to do so, follow these simple rules:
- Respect the privacy of your coworkers and avoid asking personal questions on sensitive or controversial subjects.
- Do not gossip about other employees, supervisors, or the organization.
- Avoid bringing strongly scented food to the office – keep your exotic meals at home!
- Do not interrupt or cause inconvenience to your colleagues and people around you.
- Keep the volume of your phone low and avoid sounding obnoxious ringtones that attract attention. If you enjoy music, podcasts, or any other audio, do so with headphones to reserve those to yourself.
In short, be elegant by being considerate and respectful, and by not intruding others’ workspace.
Show genuine interest in others:
It is quite easy to focus on our to-do lists and tasks, and thereby miss the opportunity to form new friendships.
Remember that any workplace is constructed of different characters and persons. Take occasional breaks to socialize and interact with others. Get to know your coworkers and show genuine interest in their lives.
To ensure that others feel that you’re interested, make sure to maintain eye-contact while you converse with them. Other ways to show your interest include:
- Remembering and mentioning specific details about the other person’s life.
- Avoiding generic statements that block the flow of the conversation.
- Allowing your interlocutor to speak at least as much as you do, and preferably even more than you do.
- Maintaining a friendly and conversational tone during the discussion.
- Specifically mentioning issues that you know that the other person cares for.
There are numerous additional ways to show your genuine interest in others. This subject is so broad that it warrants an article of its own, which I will publish before long.
In the meantime: Be friendly! Kindly greet others as you pass them by (even with a smile or a nod) and build meaningful connections.
Have a professional appearance:
Although the aphorism “don’t judge a book by its cover” is often said, the reality is that we are judged daily according to our appearance – and especially in the workplace. The way we look sends a nonverbal message that people use to assess our character and professionalism.
Every employee is a walking reflection of her organization; to become a valuable representative of your organization, adhere to the following rules:
- Follow the dress code of your office and don’t break it.
- Stay away from flashy trends, big logos, or provocative outfits in the workplace.
- Maintain a good hygiene.
- Display your hair in a neat hairstyle.
- Keep your accessories simple rather than excessive and ostentatious.
- When it comes to scents, choose a subtle and gentle perfume rather than a bold and strong one. Strong perfumes can often be distasteful and unpleasant to others in your workplace.
- Iron your clothes – even the finest of dresses can look shabby with creases.
As a general rule, it is better to be a bit overdressed than underdressed. If you are unsure which dress code is suitable, the safest bet is to opt for a classic business dress or suit, in a neutral color such as black, white, grey, or nude.
Put down your phone:
While it’s true that a lot of productivity can be achieved with the use of smartphones these days, the amount of time spent on phones needs to be regulated. An excessive use of your phone can come across as rudeness or disrespect to others.
Texting or browsing the web can be offensive during both business and personal discussions. Show your respect and interest by fully engaging the conversation and by keeping your phone out of sight.
In a business meeting, whether with your coworkers or clients, turn your phone down or put it on silent mode to avoid interruptions. There are only a few things that are as rude as an interrupting ringtone.
Keep your (and others’) space clean:
The way your desk or office looks directly reflects on the way others perceive your professionalism and character. Remember to maintain a clean and organized workspace. Personally, I’ve formed a habit of dedicating five minutes at the end of each day to cleaning and organizing my office.
If your workplace has a common area, such as a kitchen or a conference room, always clean that area after you’ve used it; never leave coffee cups, wrappers, or random pieces of paper behind. Do you want to be known as the person who doesn’t pick after themselves? Such a reputation cannot make one elegant.
Online etiquette:
Nowadays, a large portion of our work is done online via texts or emails. As an elegant woman, you must maintain high standards of professionalism at all time, and especially in online communications.
When we communicate online, there are no nonverbal cues such as body language and tonality to help us deliver our message effectively. We only have written words, and therefore we must refine our writing and ensure that our text is clear. Before you press “send”, check any message for spelling or grammatical errors to prevent misunderstandings on the receiving end.
Additionally, make sure to use the proper formats of introduction in your emails. Also, make sure to maintain a formal attitude by avoiding colloquial speech and spelling abbreviations.
Table manners:
Business often includes dining with clients or coworkers, and therefore table manners are necessary for leaving a good impression.
There are many rules and tips regarding table manners, of which you can learn in my article about dining etiquette and table manners.
An extra office etiquette tip – Be friendly to new employees:
Being the newest employee in the office is never easy. Be friendly to new employees, smile, initiate a brief conversation, and offer to answer any question that they may have. Make a bit of extra effort to invite new employees to lunch with your group, and kindly introduce them to other people in your workplace.
