The Power of Politeness

GOLDEN BUSINESS IDEA

Business etiquette expert Barbara Pachter, author of When the Little Things Count…and They Always Count, says being polite helps build up “politeness credits.” Here are her suggestions for nine polite business practices:

1 | Use polite words. Simple words such as “please,” “thank you” and “you’re welcome” are the foundation of good manners.

2 | Write thank-you notes. It’s not enough to just say thank you for lunch, a gift or a job interview. A written acknowledgment does the job much better.

3 | Don’t put people down. A reputation for constant criticism will make business associates wonder what you say about them behind their backs.

4 | Don’t use offensive language. Don’t let curse words creep into your everyday speech.

5 | Greet people. A simple “hi,” “hello” or “good morning” when you encounter a coworker helps to make the work environment more pleasant.

6 | Don’t play practical jokes. Remember you’re in an office and not a school yard.

7 | Be considerate when sharing space and equipment with others. This covers everything from being aware of how much noise you make to cleaning up a conference room after a lunch meeting.

8 | Help others. Tomorrow you may need help from someone else.

9 | Disagree agreeably. You don’t have to agree with everyone, but you should respect their opinions.