Professional

Etiquette

A Presentation by Rajiv Bajaj

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 What is Etiquette?
Webster’s II New College Dictionary: The
forms and practices prescribed by social
convention or by authority

Oxford Reference Dictionary: The code of

polite behaviour in a society

“The conduct or procedure required by

good breeding or prescribed by
authority to be observed in social or
official life.” - Merriam Webster
Dictionary

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Also means behaving in an acceptable manner
and being considerate of others…

When asked, “Is there a single word which can

be a guide to conduct throughout one’s life ?”,
Confucius said, “It is perhaps the word ‘shu’ -
Do not impose on others what you
yourself do not desire.”

Be considerate

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Etiquettes & Manners are your Soft
Skills…

Your Hard or Technical skills can get you a

job…

But what keeps you climbing the ladder of

success are your Soft Skills & Etiquettes..

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People often speak of good manners as an
accomplishment. One should speak of them
as a duty

But what are good manners?

Such manners that society recognizes as being

agreeable & acceptable to men…

…Manners that replace rudeness,

crudeness and coarseness with gentle
behaviour and finesse

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Every individual should observe the laws of
politeness

It is the expression of good-will and

kindness

It promotes both – beauty & gentleness in the

person who possesses it; and happiness in
those who are about him

It is a duty, and should be a part of every

formal training

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 Business & Workplace Etiquette

“Treat People as if they were what they

ought to be and you help them to
become what they are capable of
being”

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Business
& Workplace
Etiquettes -

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 Showing Respect

We all want respect, no matter what age we

are, no matter what position we hold or what
job function we do

The key is to know that each person, no

matter how long they've worked or how
adept their skill-set, deserves respect,
because we are all human beings

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 Some Rules…

Address people by their formal name when

meeting them for the first time, unless
introduced to them only by their first name

Address everyone formally until they ask you

to use their first name

Do this with everyone you meet, it's a sign of

respect

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Introduce everyone, no matter who they are

To break barriers between different age-

groups, genders and nationalities, make
people feel valued

The best way to do this is to introduce people to

others whenever the opportunity
presents itself

Introducing others shows you’re etiquette

savvy and helps you make important allies
too

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Be the first to extend your hand for a
handshake, and look the person in the
eye

This small act of courtesy goes a long way

in making sure all people work well
together

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Give a good handshake that conveys the
message, "Welcome! I'm open to engage in
conversation with you!"

Limp handshake ? Work on improving it ,as

instead of showing your warmth, confidence
and charm it exposes your lack of it !

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Say "Please" and "Thank you"!

This little courtesy is vital to show respect

It makes people understand you appreciate

what they can do or have done for you

Forgetting a basic courtesy such as a "please"

or "thank you" shows lack of appreciation
and concern for others which is
disrespectful and degrading

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Never interrupt someone

In casual work environments, people can easily

forget basic courtesy, and interruption can
sometimes becomes a real problem

Remember that it’s always rude to interrupt,

especially when someone is making an
important point or addressing a group

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Walking unannounced or uninvited into
someone’s office is another form of
interruption, and it makes a bad
impression

You may not need to make an appointment to

see your boss or a colleague, but you should
always make sure the person is not
busy when you want to talk

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Remember…

Start with consideration and respect

No matter whom you come in contact with,

that person deserves being treated with
respect and dignity

Even if you dislike someone for his or her

behavior, you’ll come out on top if you
maintain a respectful manner

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"A true professional treats others with respect,
and expects the same from them."

This doesn't mean you have to let people

step on you, but it does mean showing
concern for their feelings, respecting
their opinions, and being honest with
them
If you think someone else is mistreating you,
deal with it and tell them you won't tolerate
disrespect."

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 Kindness
Anyone who thinks that kindness isn't a
necessity in today's work environment
isn't thinking

Kindness is one of the most important skills in

dealing with people of all ages

Every living thing responds to kindness. Use

this skill for good results in handling people

Help others whenever you possibly can

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Help your juniors and subordinates… Don’t
bully them or allow your peers to do so

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 Refrain from Gossip

Keep gossip or hurtful information to yourself

Do not spread rumors or encourage them

Gossiping is against the principles of

kindness

Would you like someone to gossip about you?

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 Respect everyone’s privacy…

Do not eavesdrop on anyone. It is a RUDE

thing to do !

Give each individual the space he or she is

due, as you would expect to be given your
own space and privacy

Respect their individuality and privacy

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Do not encourage or indulge in politics at
workplace …

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Refrain from Politics !
Indulging in Office
Politics is against
the accepted
norms of
Etiquettes…

Refrain from
getting involved
in such politics

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 Integrity
Maintain your integrity at all times

When you make a promise or give your word,

you need to follow through on it

If you are unable to keep the promise or fulfill

the commitment, you must be prepared to
make amends and set things right

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Remember…

Trust is fragile...

Very easily broken

and very difficult
to regain

Only People with

integrity are the
people we can trust !

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 Mind Your Language !
Language counts

Your point won’t come across any better if you

use rude, derogatory, or obscene
language, no matter whom you’re
addressing

Talk like a professional and you’ll be seen

and treated as one

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 Choose Your Company Carefully…

Be careful which “crowd” you associate

with

It may be more fun to hang out with the group

that talks loudly, cracks jokes, and ridicules
coworkers, but doing so could leave a bad
impression with the boss & others

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It’s nice to fit in, especially when you have to
spend so much time with the same people...

But the office isn’t a place where you hang

out with friends and get boisterous. It’s a
place to get work done !!

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 Keep your productivity high…

You are paid to work,

so work !

No goofing in
office hours !

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Practice

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 Leave gender out of the equation

Coworkers are peers, regardless of gender

Be sensitive towards female colleagues

Of course, dirty jokes, off-color remarks, and

discussion of certain private matters are an
absolute no-no. Period.

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AT THE WORKPLACE MUST NOT BE TOLERATED OR ENCOURAGED

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Sexual harassment has no place at work, or
for that matter, in civilised society

Do not allow or tolerate such behaviour

If you observe such behaviour, speak out

against it

Remember, it is also a punishable

offence !

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 Gender Discrimination

Do not discriminate against female

colleagues. Allow them equal
opportunities

Be aware that what men can do, women

can also do, and maybe even do it better !

Respect them as equals and acknowledge

their contribution

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 Office Equipment
It’s there to make your work easier… Use it
judiciously

Handle all office equipment carefully

Care for it as you would for anything that

you owned

Remember, misuse of office equipment leads

to breakdowns, affecting your
productivity

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Misuse of equipment also includes using it for
your personal work

Office Telephones, Computers, Photocopiers,

Transport & Stationery items etc are meant
for Official use only

Avoid using them for your personal work

Respect the trust that your employer has

placed in you… do not violate it

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Always keep these basics in mind…
Understand that nobody is born with these
etiquettes. One has to study & learn them

They can also be learnt by observing others

and imbibed… by the process of Vicarious
Learning

But neither are these difficult to learn or

put into practice

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And…

…YOUR decision !

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All it takes is the right Attitude !

Do you have it in you ?

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Thank You !

Questions ?

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