Etiquette and culture of behavior of a business person

The culture of behavior and communication is the most important component of business relations. The etiquette of a business person dictates a number of rules and norms that must be followed when interacting with colleagues, partners, a manager or his subordinates. Ignoring these ethical standards will certainly contribute to the formation of a negative opinion about the person who neglects them.

Ethical norms of behavior and communication exist in all spheres of interaction between people. Even the communication of close friends or relatives should not take place in a rude, uncivilized form. We all expect from the interlocutor a respectful and polite tone when talking. Also, we must always take care that the person with whom we communicate and interact is comfortable and pleasant when communicating.

In addition to the general rules and norms of behavior, there is also the etiquette of a business person. The norms of business ethics regulate behavior in the workplace, the rules of conversation with subordinates or a leader, and the features of verbal interaction in professional communication.

Business etiquette is the result of a long process of selecting the most appropriate, effective and respectful forms of interaction in a professional and business environment. It is based on the principle of respect for the individual.

Conventionally, the motives of participants in any type of business interaction are divided into four basic settings:

• "I'm good, you're good". This is the most desirable and productive variant of the relationship to the interlocutor. People with this attitude successfully and easily establish contacts with others. In business communication, such an attitude will contribute to effective interaction between partners and colleagues.
• "I'm good, you're bad." This attitude is held by people who are unable to objectively evaluate their actions, mistakes and failures. They tend to shift responsibility onto circumstances or other people.

• "I'm bad, you're good." People with this principle often have an inferiority complex, low biased self-esteem. They feel weak and vulnerable to others. People of this type tend to bring themselves closer to strong personalities in their environment.
• "I'm bad, you're bad". The most difficult and destructive for the individual variant of the ethical attitude. People of this type experience constant dissatisfaction with themselves, surrounding, life circumstances. Constructive interaction and communication with them is almost impossible. Often people with this attitude are very impulsive in their behavior, prone to severe depression and apathy.

The ethical and cultural prerequisites for the behavior of a particular person are rarely based purely on one of the above settings.Most often there are their combinations with the situational predominance of any type of moral motive.

At official business receptions, employee meetings, during negotiations or conversations with colleagues, subordinates or a manager it is important to adhere to the rules of business etiquette:

• For a business reception or buffet, men must come in a suit. Women dress to the reception in a discreet business style. If the reception is solemn, evening dress is allowed.
• The handshake should be short. You do not need to actively shake the hand of the person you are greeting.
• Before going into business negotiations, it is better to draw up a plan of action in advance. You can rehearse in advance the approximate text of the report or speech. This will help to avoid unpleasant hitches during the event itself. If you have been assigned to negotiate as a representative of your organization, take care of your appearance and that you know the topic and subject of the negotiations well.
• At the reception in one group of colleagues or employees, it is desirable to be no more than 10 minutes. This is the best time for a short, unobtrusive conversation.
• It is necessary to come to receptions, negotiations, meetings and other events in the team strictly on time.

• At a business reception, you should not ignore those with whom you do not know. It is advisable to unobtrusively get acquainted and have short conversations with as many guests as possible.
• Do not abuse perfume or deodorant. This applies to both men and women.
• Subordinates must come to a meeting, reception or other event before their leader. At the end of the event, the leader leaves the reception or meeting first, subordinates disperse after him.
• At a business reception, you should not talk too much about your personal life. Despite good relations with colleagues, they are not so close to you to know all the details.

The rules and norms of interaction between employees and the manager are enshrined in state legal documents. Such a document, among other things, is the Labor Code of the Russian Federation.. The articles of this legal document regulate the legal and ethical standards of official communication between colleagues, managers and subordinates.

The way of behavior or the prerequisites for certain actions are dictated to each person by his social role. In the business and professional sphere, a specific profession and position acts as a social role. A manager, a subordinate, a business partner - all these are different status positions, which, in turn, require compliance with relevant business standards.

There are the following ethical recommendations and rules for business interaction:

• Emotional self-regulation is very important for a leader. It is the leading official who is the regulator of relationships in the office or at the enterprise. Compliance or non-compliance with ethical standards in communication with the team directly affects the attitude towards management and the final quality of work.
• A conflict of interest between a manager and a subordinate must be resolved in private in the manager's office. Demonstrative reprimands and remarks about the work of subordinates in the presence of other members of the team are not allowed.
• The subordinate has the right not to tolerate insults and unreasonable claims from the management. Criticism should be constructive and expressed in the correct form.
• Punishment for misconduct at work should be fair. It is necessary to conduct a conversation with the employee, explaining to him his mistake or oversight.
• Business etiquette provides for the manifestation of uniform requirements for all colleagues and subordinates. You should not show pronounced condescension towards one and increased exactingness or complete indifference towards other employees.

• In no case should a leader complain publicly about his subordinates. It is impossible to arrange a discussion of this or that employee by the team in his absence.
• If a subordinate is guilty, one should properly conduct a conversation with him so that the punishment is not accepted with bitterness. In a conversation, it is worth mentioning the success of the employee, voicing positive personal and work qualities that management appreciates. This will push the subordinate to correct the mistake and improve their professional activities.
• If mistakes and failures in work have occurred partly due to the fault of the leader, this fact must be honestly acknowledged. Do not unfairly shift the blame on subordinates. Recognition of their mistakes by the leader will significantly improve the attitude towards him in the work team.
• Addressing your colleagues and subordinates to “you” clearly demonstrates arrogance and disrespect on the part of the leader.This attitude creates an uncomfortable and tense atmosphere in the team.

For more on the ethics and culture of communication of a business person, see the next video.