30 Ways to Be a Class Act at Work
It’s too easy to let private concerns become public fodder, to let professionalism slide, and to give up when the going gets tough. It’s worth the extra effort to rise above the anxiety, raise the bar, and be a class act. Here’s 30 ways to do it:
- Respect and represent your organization’s image and reputation
- Respect hierarchies within – and outside of – your organization
- Respect your organization’s culture – and don’t confuse casual with carelessness
- Respect personal and professional privacy – and err conservatively
- Respect personal boundaries
- Respect diversity in the workplace – cultural, moral, political, religious and creative views
- Respect your organization’s property and resources
- Respect people’s time
- Smile
- Be welcoming
- Be proactive
- Intend to help
- Assume others’ positive intentions
- Create pleasant and agreeable experiences for everyone
- Be a team cheerleader
- Don’t gossip or pass on rumors
- Don’t talk about staff, volunteers, clients – or anyone – negatively
- Understand what “confidential” means to each person with whom you interact
- Model discretion and professionalism in word, deed and attire
- Speak softly in public
- Do not hold personal conversations in bathrooms, elevators or other public spaces
- Keep personal information personal – yours or others’
- Avoid slang and foul language
- Minimize sarcasm – especially on email
- Don’t assume people understand jargon or acronyms
- Say “please” and “thank you”
- Hold the door
- Use humor carefully, sparingly, gracefully – and only with people you know well
- Apologize as needed
- Acknowledge others’ contributions regularly
You can read more on Professional Development from Deborah here and at MyJewishCoach.com.