From our research and practical work done so far in the field of working with people, companies and organizations, we have found 10 ways to maintain professional behaviour in the workplace.
1. Arrive on time
Punctuality shows your coworkers that you are reliable, care about your work and value their time. Take steps to ensure you’re on time for work each day, such as setting alarms and using calendar reminders for meetings and conferences. Aim to arrive a few minutes early so if you do encounter traffic during your commute or need to answer an urgent email before a meeting, you can stay on schedule. Also, make sure you follow your company’s break schedule. If employees receive an hour for lunch and 15 minutes for breaks, return to work within those limits.
2. Follow your company’s dress code
Regardless of whether your company has a strict dress code, allows casual attire or you work from home, maintain a clean and neat appearance that makes a positive impression on clients and coworkers. Review company guidelines about attire, and avoid items such as wrinkled or poorly fitting clothes, ripped jeans, tank tops and flip-flops. Choose something that looks professional because you represent the company.
3. Communicate respectfully
When you are at work, use clean language even during casual conversations and emails. Avoid gossiping, talking about sensitive subjects and sharing overly personal information with coworkers. If you do need to confide in a colleague, do it in a private space where customers or managers cannot hear you.During meetings and discussions, speak clearly and courteously so people can understand you. Listen to your colleagues when they share ideas and acknowledge the things they say even if you disagree. Your tone and language are equally important when communicating through email. Keep emails professional because they become long-term records of conversations.
4. Be honest
Integrity in the workplace can lead to positive relationships. Coworkers who trust each other are often productive and work well as a team. Be honest if you need personal time off from work or could use an extra few days to complete a project. Keep company and client information confidential. If you see dishonest behavior in the workplace, report it to your manager.
4. Valuing Diversity and Inclusion
Respect in the workplace extends to embracing diversity. It involves recognising and appreciating the unique perspectives and backgrounds that each employee brings to the table. Organisations that value diversity not only create a richer work environment but also tend to be more innovative and adaptable.
6. Take responsibility
Respected professionals set examples by taking responsibility for their actions. If you make a mistake, always admit it and then take steps to correct it or prevent it from happening again. Avoid blaming others, even if they contributed to an issue. Managers appreciate employees who acknowledge failed ideas, missed deadlines or wrong decisions, apologize and try to resolve them. If you realize you need help completing a project or making a big decision, ask for it.
7. Conflict Resolution
In respectful workplaces, conflicts are addressed promptly and constructively. Encouraging dialogue and finding mutually beneficial solutions demonstrates a commitment to resolving issues while preserving relationships.
8. Work-Life Balance
Respecting employees’ work-life balance is essential. Allowing flexibility when possible and acknowledging the importance of personal time contributes to a healthier and more satisfied workforce.
9. Act ethically
Workplace ethics involve choosing between right and wrong and maintaining strong morals. Act ethically by:
- Understanding and following company rules and policies
- Reporting violations, questionable behavior, safety concerns or suspicious actions
- Removing personal bias and judgment from your decisions and interactions
- Being accountable and taking responsibility for your actions
- Asking for help in difficult situations
When you act ethically, you are more likely to make good decisions that benefit your entire team.
10. Be reliable
Show your colleagues and manager that they can rely on you to meet deadlines, do quality work and show up to meetings on time. When someone asks you to complete a task, commit to doing it well and finishing it on time.Prepare for meetings by reviewing agendas and bringing notes and discussion points. If your manager knows they can depend on you to do high-quality, timely work, they might give you more responsibilities and independence.
In the first graphic, you can see some tips to have a more Efficient behaviour in the workplace. While in the second graphic, what are the problematic behaviour traits that you should avoid:
