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

1. How to Conduct Yourself at WorkHow to Conduct Yourself at Work
By: Margaret Lakra

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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. Personal Presentation
Pay attention to your personal presentation, and dress
appropriately for your workplace.
If you are not sure about the dress code, ask!

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. Recognize
Always recognize the contribution made by others

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

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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?

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. Value the Time and Effort Spent
by Others
Do not take other members of the organization for granted.

21. Take up a Leadership Role
Whenever Possible
Show that you are willing to accept responsibility and produce results.

22. 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.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. 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.

31. 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.

32. 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.

33. 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.

34. 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.

35. 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.

36. 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.

37. 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.

38. 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.

39. Thank YouThank You