Republic of the Philippines

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs
OPEN UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
Valenzuela, Bruze C. OACT 40023
BSOAOUMN 4-A Assignment No. 1
Inst.: Richard L. Sana

Directions: Answer the following items briefly with the best of your knowledge.

Title: Striking the Right Note: Navigating Office Etiquette

Introduction:
Office etiquette forms the bedrock of a conducive work environment, shaping interactions
and fostering professionalism among colleagues. This case study delves into the dynamics of
office etiquette within a corporate setting, focusing on a multinational technology firm, "Tech
Innovations Inc.," where diverse teams collaborate on cutting-edge projects.

Case Background:
ABC Tech Innovations Inc. operates in a fast-paced industry, where innovation and
teamwork are paramount. With offices across different continents, the company boasts a
multicultural workforce comprising individuals with varied backgrounds, experiences, and
communication styles. While this diversity enriches the workplace, it also presents challenges in
navigating office etiquette effectively.

Case Scenario:
Marites, a project manager from Metro Manila, leads a cross-functional team tasked with
developing a new software application. Her team includes members from Visayas and Mindanao
regions each bringing unique perspectives and work practices to the table. However, cultural
nuances and differing interpretations of office etiquette have led to misunderstandings and
inefficiencies within the team.

A. Can you identify any cultural differences in office etiquette that you have observed among
team members? How do these differences impact communication and collaboration?

- Some cultural differences in office etiquette that I have observed among team
members from different regions include variations in communication styles,
hierarchical structures, time management practices, and approaches to conflict
resolution. These differences can impact communication and collaboration by leading
to misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and inefficiencies within the team.
Addressing these cultural nuances and promoting understanding among team
members can help improve communication and enhance collaboration within the
team.
 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs
OPEN UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
B. Describe a same scenario where you encountered a challenge related to office etiquette
in your workplace. How did you handle the situation, and what were the outcomes?

- In a previous workplace, I encountered a challenge related to office etiquette when

team members from different departments had conflicting approaches to
communication and decision-making processes. Some team members preferred direct
and upfront communication, while collaborative decision-making. To address this
issue, I organized a team meeting to openly discuss our communication styles,
preferences, and expectations. I facilitated a dialogue where team members were able
to share their viewpoints and understand each other's perspectives. We established
common ground on how to communicate effectively and make decisions that
respected each other's preferences. As a result of this discussion, the team became
more mindful of each other's communication styles and began to adapt their
approaches to better accommodate the preferences of others. This led to improved
collaboration, reduced misunderstandings, and increased efficiency in our workflow.
By acknowledging and addressing the office etiquette differences within the team, we
were able to create a more cohesive and harmonious working environment.