10 Tips to Improve Professional Conduct in the Workplace

Professional Conduct

What is professional conduct and why is it important? Professional conduct is the basic quality that marks you as a professional. Just knowing your stuff doesn’t make you a professional. The way you communicate with others and provide a comfortable atmosphere to work in sets you apart as a professional. Here are 10 tips to improve your behavior in the workplace.

1. Address people by their name: In the corporate world, most people prefer calling others by their names. Some might prefer “sir" or "madam," but instead try addressing them with their names. This will mentally cut off the hierarchy and make it easy to collaborate and work with the person.

2. Be on time: Punctuality is not specific to the workplace, but in general, will help you reach new heights. Whether it's meetings, office hours, or work completion, be on time. This creates a positive image and makes people trust you.

3. Be polite: Of course, there will be times where you do not agree with somebody in a conversation/meeting. Put your disagreement in polite words. If you think someone is wrong or you could not agree with them, instead of saying, “No, that's not right,” try saying, “I appreciate your point, but this would be even better." This will make people feel heard and feel comfortable when sharing ideas around you. In turn, you will become more approachable.

4. Keep your word: This is one of the most important characteristics. If you commit to something, always stick to it. If something unavoidable comes up, and you find you cannot finish it, please let the respective people know or try re-negotiating the deadline. Trying to cover it up with a lie, or ignoring it thinking that people will not notice will not work.

5. Dress appropriately: Though a lot of companies today do not lay down a dress code, it doesn't mean that you can walk in with your pyjamas or shorts and a ruffled T-Shirt. The way you dress and smell has an impact on how people judge you. Try to wear a proper, clean, and ironed (if possible) outfit and top it off with a mild deodorant.

6. Draw a line between work and personal life: Do not waste your work time or resources for your personal use. This includes using office devices to watch movies, chatting, or using social media during working hours. Completely dissolve yourself into work during work hours so that you need not think of it during your personal time.

7. Foster empathy: Let it be your customer, co-worker or manager, put yourself in their shoes. This makes you understand their needs even better. It also helps you avoid acting out in critical situations.

8. Act with integrity: Integrity is a combination of honesty with intense moral principles. Integrity makes your co-workers trust you. It will help you build a strong reputation. A person with integrity will be highly valued in any organization.

9. Maintain your dignity: Being friendly and approachable with your colleagues is good, but always ensure that you don't develop deep personal relationships. These personal relationships will lead you to gossip about you co-worker, share intimate details about your life, share details about your salary and job transfer ideas, giving or borrowing money, etc. which are all never appreciated in a workplace and can make for a troublesome situation in the future, especially as a boss.

10. Ignore negativity: Not all criticisms are healthy. If you think you are being offended, move away from the situation or the person and concentrate on your ultimate work responsibilities. Staying there, arguing, or reacting to such situations or people will only degrade your standard.

Happy Working :)