One look at an email can rob you of 15 minutes of focus. One call on your cell phone, one tweet, one instant message can destroy your schedule, forcing you to move meetings, or blow off really important things, like love, and friendship. ~ Jacqueline Leo A newish word has crept into our social media … Continue reading “Phubbing” Can Lead to “Phlubbing”
Category: Workplace Etiquette
Workplace Restroom Etiquette and Best Practices
Men who consistently leave the toilet seat up secretly want women to get up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night and fall in. ~ Rita Rudner For many years one of the hats I wore at my financial services company was that of disaster recovery liaison; during the September 11 attacks I helped employees … Continue reading Workplace Restroom Etiquette and Best Practices
We Interrupt this Woman…
The opposite of talking isn't listening. The opposite of talking is waiting. ~ Fran Lebowitz A long accepted workplace practice when women and men are present in any kind of meeting -- regardless of the industry or setting -- is men speak and women listen, or women speak and men interrupt them. On the whole, women … Continue reading We Interrupt this Woman…
The Art of Compromise
"Let no one think that flexibility and a predisposition to compromise is a sign of weakness or a sell-out." ~ Paul Kagame One of my favorite examples of compromise is a story told by many conflict resolution experts. It goes like this: Two sisters were arguing over who should take the last orange in the … Continue reading The Art of Compromise
Spreading Germs At Work Is Nothing To Sneeze At
Staying home when you’re ill can be a bummer.
But, going to work is a whole lot dumber!
With so much in the news about Ebola and other dangerous viruses and bacterial infections, we need to remind ourselves that most people are likelier to be catching the common cold or coming down with the current seasonal flu bug. Together, these viruses cost the U.S. economy billions of dollars each year in lost wages, business profits and healthcare costs. Even worse, they cause inconvenience, suffering and in rare cases the flu can result in life-threatening scenarios.
The Most Powerful Person in The Workplace
Which One Is It?
If you chose the executive assistant on the left, you’re right! And, experts writing for the Wall Street Journal and Huffington Post agree. This is an important bit of information everyone should take into account when planning her or his career strategy.
The Early Bird Ruffles No Feathers
Le tout nous gardons un homme attente,
il réfléchit sur nos lacunes.
~ French Proverb
The English translation to the quote above is, “All the while we keep a man waiting, he reflects on our shortcomings.” There is truth in this! If you're late for work, a meeting, an assignment, event, or any occasion you run the risk of engendering negative thoughts about you in the minds of those who are punctual or who you've kept waiting. To some, being tardy equates to being undependable, untrustworthy, unsuitable and even unlikeable.
You’re Hired! Making a Smooth Entry into Your New Position
Hard work spotlights the character of people:
some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses,
and some don’t turn up at all.
~ Sam Ewing, American Writer and Humorist (1920-2001)
You did it! You’ve been hired and you’re starting your new job. Congratulations! You’ve reached the end of your job search and now you’re beginning another journey – one in which you must remain sharp and professional to achieve job and career success.
National Etiquette Week – May 11 – 17, 2014
A degree will get your foot in the door; good manners will open it.
~ Jeanne Nelson
You might recognize the above quote as the motto of my etiquette consultancy and training brand, PROWESS Workshops (Protocol for the Workplace and Etiquette for Social Situations). As we observe National Etiquette Week 2014, it’s important to remember that the underpinnings of etiquette – respect, kindness and consideration for others – are also the most prized qualities sought by employers of job candidates and employees. Today, employers are looking for attitude over aptitude, and that says a lot about the importance of good manners and the practice of proper etiquette.
Job Search Series – Going For The Gold
"Not that you root for failure," Vasgersian said,
"but he needs one more crash to guarantee a spot in the next round."
~ NBC 2014 Winter Olympics Announcer Matt Vasgersian
The above-captioned statement was uttered during the men’s freestyle aerial ski jumps last week in Sochi during the play-by-play commentary. The speculation was that for American Mac Bohonnon to qualify for the finals one of his competitors would have to make a mistake, thereby making Mr. Bohonnon’s point score sufficient. No sooner were these words spoken when Renato Ulrich of Switzerland took his turn at the aerials and crashed.
