How to Conduct Yourself at How to Conduct Yourself at WorkWork

By: Margaret Lakra

Behaving Appropriately When You Are at Your Place of Work Should be the Foundation of Your Professional Life

Greet Someone

Nobody wants to feel unwelcome or unappreciated. If they do, they will feel like outcasts and less likely to help you with something. This can be accomplished with a simple greeting with a smile or a firm handshake while looking at the person directly in the eyes.

Be Respectful

It is important to be polite, courteous and considerate of colleagues and everyone with whom you come into contact. You must respect all jobs and talk to everybody with equal respect

Be Prepared

Make sure you are prepared whenever possible – if you are going to a meeting with colleagues, check the topic and work out what questions might be directed your way, or if there are materials that you might be asked to distribute

Reliability

Reliability is essential to employee performance. The reliability of individual workers has a tremendous impact on the performance of the individual employee as well as those she works with.

Personal Presentation

Pay attention to your personal presentation, and dress appropriately for your workplace.

If you are not sure about the dress code, ask!

Be Punctual

Whether arriving at work or turning up to a meeting Showing up late for work or meetings gives the impression

that you don't care about your job so make sure you pay attention to the clock. Not only does this go for start times, but this tip also applies to returning from your lunch break

Positive Attitude

Have a positive attitude to everything you do – if you are pleasant to be around then people will enjoy working with you. No one likes a constant pessimist. Having an upbeat attitude and trying to be a problem-solver makes a big difference.

Be Honest

If you do not think you will meet a deadline for a project, better to say early and help by thinking of possible courses of action with your manager.

Acknowledge Your Mistake

As hard as it may be, take ownership of your errors and do your best to correct them and make sure you don't make the same one twice. Never blame others, but set an example for those who were also responsible to do as you've done.

Recognize

Always recognize the contribution made by others

Respect Privacy 

Respect the privacy of anyone who shares information with you in confidence - discretion is expected and always appreciated.

Do Not Gossip

Be wary of questions that sound like gossip.  Be aware that everything is not always as it seems. Never ever repeat anything you’ve heard, even if it turns out to be

true.  Give sensitive information the respect it deserves. Stay away from the gossip gang.

Do Not Yell at People

Be sure yelling doesn’t make you better. If you yell at people you lose respect. You can solve problems by communicating in a calm, consistent way, and try to

avoid highs and lows.  Screaming at someone out of your frustration might get her attention, but it won't

get her respect.   This also applies while talking on the phone.

Do Not Be a Peeping Tom

We all feel the urge to peep into the computer screens of our neighbors and see what they are up to. Do not make a habit out of it. People find it very annoying when others keep looking into their screen to know what they are browsing. You would not appreciate others staring into your screen either, would you?

Be Sociable

It's nice to be sociable now and again. it shows you can get along well with people rather than someone who's closed off shutting everyone else away. But know where to draw the line.

Draw the Line

Setting boundaries is one of the most important parts of relationships. It is more important to satisfactory relationships that just about everything else, since without agreeable boundaries, most relationships cannot function well. The expression, “Good fences make good neighbors,” is true.

Adhere to Your Commitments

If you've ever given a promise to somebody, then make sure you keep it. Doing this will make the person think that you are reliable and honest, a trait which will boost your professionalism.

Value the Time and Effort Spent by Others

Do not take other members of the organization for granted.

Take up a Leadership Role Whenever Possible

Show that you are willing to accept responsibility and produce results.

Keep Personal Issues at Home

Refrain from using the company’s time for personal issues. While personal issues will be considered by management when required, employees need to refrain from discussing it during office hours. This keeps the office environment free from empathy-related biases about productivity.

Be Polite in Speech and Body Language

“Please” and “Thank-you” go a long way in establishing a good working relationship. Smile or nod his or her head in agreement. Do not look around when someone is taking to you.

Demeanor

Your demeanor should exude confidence but not over confident. Be polite and well-spoken whether you're interacting with customers, superiors or co-workers. You need to keep your calm, even during tense situations.

Maintaining Your Poise

A professional must maintain his poise even when facing a difficult situation. For example, if a colleague or client treats you in a belligerent manner, you should not resort to the same type of behavior.

Offer Help

You share the spotlight with colleagues, take time to show others how to do things properly, and lend an ear when necessary.

A true professional is willing to help his or her co-workers when they are overburdened. He or she isn't afraid to share knowledge, opinion or simply an extra pair of hands. One person's success reflects well on everyone in his or her workplace.

Get Your Job Done

When you’re trying to be more professional at work, you need to stay focused on your job and remain productive. Create a task list that you follow every day, and avoid the kinds of distractions that cause you to lose sight of your responsibilities.

Carry a notepad with you to write down important info. professionals carry something with them to write down important tasks and make sure they get done.

Never Be Afraid to Ask Questions

Professionals are eager to learn new things, but they also want to clearly understand what’s expected of them. You need to ask questions and then use the information you get to improve your career.

Ask For Advice

Too often we are too proud (or too stubborn) to ask for direction. But asking for advice from a colleague accomplishes two things: first, you might get the answer you seek, and; second, it says to the person you trust and respect their opinion. By confiding in an individual, the advisor becomes concerned with your best interests. This leads to mutual trust and respect between people.

Give Advice

When you are asked to offer advice to another, be as articulate and rational as possible. If you do not know the correct answer, do not fabricate advice or mislead the person. This will only shatter the person's trust in you. Instead, point him in another direction where he might find the answer he is seeking.

Don't Boast

It's good to boast a little with your close friends and family but not with everyone. They'll just think that you're a show-off. Let them talk about their achievements, so that you have equal right to then establish your status. You must not be a self-centered person, but let other people express their views, on ideas upon the meeting table.

Listen

Don't talk about you and your life only. Let other tell you about themselves, and listen to them. It's a very good and professional habit to show interest in what they're saying. Never ignore them while they're speaking either.

It is not a good idea to interrupt the person who is speaking because one may get irritated. Realize the input you would like to make, and find the right time to do so.

Talk Less, But Talk Sense

Don't talk too much unless it's about sharing valuable ideas with the other people. Be sure to talk with logical, good sense. People should think that you are talkative, but in a good way.

Talk Formally

Remember, while you are talking less, with clear sense, be sure to talk formally as well. Speaking informally will leave a bad impression on other people, especially if you are just getting to know a person.

Remember not to have the "holier than thou" and the "know it all" attitude; it just puts people off.

Watch Your Mouth

Swearing or cursing has no place at work, particularly if those who might be offended by it are present. If you wouldn't say it at home, refrain from saying it at work. Using bad language makes it seem as if your vocabulary is limited.

Don't Air Your Dirty Laundry

While confiding in a close friend at work is usually okay, sharing too much information with the entire office isn't. Be judicious about whom you talk to, particularly when it comes to discussing problems with your spouse or other family members. If you do decide to share personal information with your co-workers, make sure to do it away from work place.

Volunteer

Many people prefer to sit back and watch as others perform the work. Volunteering your time or skills may add an additional burden but it tells others you believe in them and are willing to help out. Such an expression also makes it easy for you to solicit support when you are in need of help.

Maintain a Clean Workstation

Most of us consider our workplaces what is known as ‘second home’. If you have a neat and tidy workstation, it would go to show how responsible you are. Having a clean office and work desk enhances productivity, which shows how seriously you take your work. Most people can see your workspace, and they do judge you.

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