Company Etiquette: Advice from Samira Raïssouni, Professional Coach

Etiquette can make all the difference.

"When we respect others, they respect us back". Samira Raïssouni, a professional coach certified by the ICF, summarizes the importance of courtesy in this sentence. It's certainly difficult to get along with all colleagues or coworkers, but the least we can do is behave in a way that avoids tension. In this interview, Ms. Raïssouni summarizes what we could call the bare minimum and highlights all the hidden costs that can arise from violating rules of conduct.

1. How would you define company etiquette?
Company etiquette is an integral part of etiquette in general, and of good character. It's a set of codes of good conduct allowing individuals to behave in a socially "winning" way in the professional world. These are rules that reflect respect for others. In principle, when we respect others, they respect us back. Among the rules of good conduct, there are very simple things such as:

• Saying hello to your colleagues, greeting them, helps maintain a good work atmosphere;
• Not speaking too loudly, because it is possible to converse without shouting;
• Not being unnecessarily curious and tempted to listen to other people's conversations;
• Upon arriving at a new position, a verbal greeting is sufficient. You can accompany it with a handshake, but don't rush into kissing new colleagues;
• Wait to be offered informal address before using it;
• Know how to say thank you when a colleague does a good job and show them appreciation;
• Know how to give feedback. In case of negative feedback, it is important to first specify the good actions performed in order to establish trust, then move on to the action you want to take and the objectives you want to achieve without mentioning the person, and finally end the conversation on a positive note (I'm counting on you to ...);
• Take into account the company's dress code;
• Arrive on time for work meetings and, if you need to speak, remember to bring the preparation documents...

These are simple rules, but they make all the difference between people

2. Is this very important for the smooth running of the company?
Yes, good manners are essential, even vital, in a company. A "disrespectful" manager will have difficulty achieving their objectives, since their legitimacy is not recognized by their employees.
In other words, they will expend a lot of energy to get the work done, and even if employees do what is asked of them, they will not find meaning in their work and will not be part of a collectively winning team. Hence the waste of energy, employee turnover, the failure to capitalize on actions, the lack of trust in the organization ...

3. What is allowed and what is not?
Regarding what is not allowed, I would cite, for example, harassment, management by gossip, and negative feedback on the person rather than the work.
On the other hand, what is allowed and even recommended are all the usual rules of good conduct, adapting of course to the company culture. Good manners help to smooth relations between colleagues, to create a good working atmosphere and the fulfillment of everyone in the professional environment.

4. Are these attitudes that can be learned?
Absolutely. Abroad, there are etiquette workshops and even etiquette schools.
We can run workshops and coaching sessions on good character or related topics such as knowing how to converse, knowing how to avoid the pitfalls of power, knowing how to give up verbal tics, speaking well, knowing how to receive in business, knowing how to welcome people to the office, knowing how to develop autonomy, knowing how to support someone taking up a new position....

Brahim Habriche.

Lavieeco.com

Posted online January 21, 2013.