Some of the technical staffs during a planning retreat in Entebbe.

Your behavior in the workplace can dictate your success and reputation because how you present yourself to others in the workplace matters influencing the overall environment for you and your coworkers. A summary of some work etiquettes which will be helpful at a work place is shared below.

Make a Good First Impression: People often form impressions about others within seconds of meeting them, so it’s important to ensure you present yourself as a professional. Be aware of your body language and how others may perceive it. A good rule of thumb is to stand straight, maintain eye contact, and smile!

Understand your Work Environment: The values, policies, and procedures of a workplace can be difficult to discern at first. If you are in \ organization with a structured human resource division, you may have access to an in-house trainings to keep you informed of your organization’s expectations. Lastly, observing the atmosphere and actions of others can help you understand what’s appropriate and what’s not, and how to best navigate the workplace while maintaining your professionalism.

Communication is Key: Communication is an important part of workplace etiquette. It’s sometimes not what you say, but how you say it that counts so be mindful of how you communicate with your colleagues in meetings and one-on-one conversations. In regards to email, be sure your correspondence inside and outside of your workplace is written clearly and free of spelling errors.

Make it a habit to be prompt: Being on time offers an easy and manageable way to make a good impression. Consistently being punctual shows that you value the time of others in your work environment. When possible, plan to give yourself extra time between meetings so that you won’t be late if something unexpected happens.

Avoid interrupting: When you attend meetings or talk with others in the workplace, let them finish speaking without interrupting. Allowing them to complete their thought or presentation shows your respect for their opinion and efforts. If you have a thought you want to share while someone is talking, jot it down and stay silent until the person finishes.

Use people’s names: Using someone’s name when speaking with them can convey your respect and attention. You can ask them if you don’t remember or know their name. Use their name organically throughout the conversation without too much repetition. Next time you see the person, greet them by name for an additional sense of friendliness and respect.

Be Personable yet Professional: Sharing information about your personal life is your choice, but be cautious when it comes to what you share; some colleagues may be more open than others and might choose to keep their personal life private as well. Similarly, you may want to limit personal calls, emails, and other non-work related tasks to after work hours.

Dress appropriately: Regardless of the policies, you may benefit from dressing slightly more professionally than required to show your professionalism and commitment to the role. If you meet with clients or prospective clients, dress in more formal business attire. Striving to mirror your boss’s style or level of formality can help ensure you dress appropriately