“Horses sweat, men perspire, and women glow.” This was my mother’s mantra each time I quipped I was sweating from an activity or being outside. Growing up in the Middle East, I heard it often! My mother considered herself a lady and according to her, not only are manners incredibly important, they also tell you a lot about the people you meet.  

We all grew up with certain rules of behaviour, some that served us well, others not so well. There are many rules in business. However, unlike life, we often have to learn business etiquette from observation or, if we’re lucky, through our mentors. We can completely ignore business etiquette and there are well known individuals who are known for that. However for most, manners matter as we navigate the intricacies of our professional and personal lives.  Business etiquette is not complicated nor difficult; rather it’s a way to announce to our colleagues and our profession that we are someone who believes in conscious leadership through best practices.  

We read how ill-mannered individuals are successful. However, the exception does not make the rule, and for all those who are ‘rudely’ successful, there are hundreds of others who are not and will not make it because of their behaviour and how they treat others.  

So what is business etiquette? It’s a way of behaving and being; it demonstrates who you are, what you stand for, and how you expect to be treated as well as how you treat others. We may think that with the relaxation of dress codes, remote work, social media etc. that manners don’t matter – think again, they do… and as we move into this new world, they will continue to matter. 

As the line between public and private self continues to blur, be sure to monitor yourself, your views, and how you conduct yourself whether in your professional capacity or in what you might consider your private life.  

Nowadays companies are being judged not only on their products or services, but also by those who work for them. We have seen individuals being fired for ‘unseemly’ public behaviour, bullying on social media, and a host of other acts that do not align with the values and policies of their employer. Do you know how you are seen in the public domain? Check on your social media health, search for yourself online, and don’t forget to check images! Keeping an eye on your social media is important. It’s often where companies go before hiring, so ensuring that your profile passes the “Would we want this person to represent our organization?” question is important! It’s telling that many of the top ‘social media’, electronic giant heads have a very curated social media presence. Maybe it is time you start paying attention to your business etiquette.

In my next blog later this week, I will suggest the top ten habits to maintain awareness of how you are seen by potential employers and your peers. Stay tuned!