As a leader, you can only be successful in your professional environment if you have mastered the rules of social etiquette. Small nuances in behavior often determine how confidently and professionally you are perceived by your employees and whether business partners treat you as an equal. Rules and norms apply in a business environment - mastering them reduces uncertainty and you gain confidence. We have summarized the 7 most important rules of business etiquette for you here.
1. remember names!
This rule applies both to contact with your team members and to working with business partners. Misspelling a name in writing is also a no-go in business. Remember the names of everyone involved before a meeting - this signals interest and is a matter of respect.
2. composure in moments of stress
Everyone knows them: The days when your entire schedule gets mixed up in the morning, a long queue forms outside the office door and your inbox reports 50 unread messages. It's only human to get nervous now. However, business etiquette forbids losing your composure, becoming rude or even loud at this point.
3. avoid embarrassment
Has an employee made a big mistake that affects the entire project? Then always clarify this in private. Business etiquette forbids reproaching team members for their mistakes in front of the entire team.
4. demonstrate reliability
You have promised to make time for an appraisal interview the next day? Then schedule this time firmly. Stick to agreements and make sure that you always keep your promises. Only then can you expect reliability from your team.
5. be punctual!
Hardly anything is perceived as more impolite in business than unpunctuality. If business partners have to wait for you, the good mood sinks with every minute. Arriving late for a meeting or not starting a phone call scheduled for 10:00 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. does not create good conditions for cooperation. Incidentally, this rule also applies to emails. Business etiquette dictates that emails should be answered within 24 hours if possible.
6. show interest
When contacting new people, you should show genuine interest. Whether it's a new team member or a business partner: the questions shouldn't be too private, but you can also deviate a little from the business side of things. Perhaps you discover in your preliminary research on social networks that your counterpart is also a passionate golfer? That would be an excellent starting point for a conversation.
7. helpfulness
As a good leader, you have a sense of when things are on fire. Do you see a desperate employee behind the screen? Then take a moment to offer your help. Incidentally, this also creates a good atmosphere in your company that is characterized by helpfulness and appreciation.
If you have internalized this business etiquette, then you have the best prerequisites for a confident and confident appearance as a manager. We are happy to offer you further assistance in our coaching sessions and seminars.