Ettiquette Essentials
This term describes behaviors like punctuality, appropriate attire, and respectful communication that shape how others perceive you at work.
What is professional etiquette?
This feeling of being accepted, respected, and valued within a team leads to higher job satisfaction and lower turnover, according to Gallup (2023).
What is sense of belonging?
This type of communication involves using video conferencing, instant messaging, and email professionally, including muting when not speaking.
What is digital communication?
This is the very first step in the Problem-Solving Cycle, where you identify the actual issue rather than just the symptom.
What is defining the problem?
This workplace behavior means stepping up without being asked — identifying a problem before it escalates or volunteering for a new responsibility.
What is taking initiative?
Using this in written workplace communication means using correct grammar, organized structure, and a respectful tone in emails and reports.
What is professional written communication?
This team behavior involves actively contributing to shared goals, valuing different perspectives, and building solutions no one person could achieve alone.
What is collaboration?
When reporting to a manager, professionals should summarize key points and focus on this, rather than providing exhaustive detail like they would to a peer.
What are outcomes (or progress and results)?
In this step of the Problem-Solving Cycle, you examine the underlying reasons why a problem persists.
What is analyzing the causes?
This strategy involves thinking ahead to identify potential issues before they become problems, such as preparing a meeting summary before being asked.
What is anticipating needs?
This type of communication includes body language, eye contact, facial expressions, and how you dress.
What is nonverbal communication?
Sharing credit, accepting feedback, and prioritizing team goals over personal recognition are examples of this quality in a collaborative workplace.
What is humility?
Adapting your communication style when speaking to a peer versus a senior leader demonstrates this professional quality.
What is awareness of workplace expectations (or professional adaptability)?
After implementing a solution, this final step ensures that your fix is working and helps you make adjustments if needed.
What is monitoring and reviewing?
In ethical decision-making, this step involves thinking beyond your immediate team to consider customers, community members, and organizational reputation.
What is considering stakeholders broadly?
This professional habit involves repeating back key instructions to confirm understanding and show you value what was communicated.
What is active listening?
This action demonstrates inclusion when a team member's idea is dismissed in a meeting: you redirect attention back to their contribution.
What is advocating for an overlooked voice (or supporting inclusion)?
Using an assertive but respectful tone, focusing on clarity and conciseness in meetings demonstrates this communication type.
What is verbal communication?
This step in the Problem-Solving Cycle involves generating multiple possible ways to address an issue before selecting one.
What is brainstorming solutions?
A professional who sees a data gap in a project and researches solutions independently rather than waiting for direction is demonstrating both initiative and this quality.
What is resourcefulness?
The "front-page test" is an example of this tool used to evaluate whether a workplace decision aligns with ethical principles.
What is an ethical framework?
According to Gallup (2023), workers with a strong sense of belonging show these two measurable outcomes.
What are higher job satisfaction and lower turnover rates?
This principle underlies professional communication across all hierarchies and includes addressing colleagues by preferred titles and maintaining eye contact.
What is respect?
Workplace problem-solving that addresses root causes rather than symptoms results in solutions that have this quality, meaning they work long-term.
What is sustainability (or being sustainable/long-lasting)?
Writing down why a decision was made and sharing it transparently with your team promotes this value and provides a record if the decision is later questioned.
What is accountability (or documenting and communicating decisions)?