Learning the ABC of Office Etiquettes

Until I joined my first job, I always used to think that the phrase “Change is must” is meant to be applied only to older people. I felt strongly that older people resist change unlike their younger counterpart.

As a young man of 22, who just came out successfully from a professional qualification, I was just glad to be selected by a reputed company. All seemed great and I felt that am made for great things. It felt as if, my burdened and bonded life was now free to be lived. It was my first day in office and I was inducted by the HR department. There were few persons who have joined like me. We were told that we would undergo training for next 1 week after which we would be posted in one of the divisons.The first day was meant for introduction and joining formalities. We all were bubbling with enthusiasm and keen to kick start.

Next day we assembled at the training hall and were in for a surprise. We all were told that the week-long training is held to inform us about the Office Etiquettes, policies and procedures. We were told that it is important that an office moves as one. Towards this, uniformity and ethics are necessary. I mentally rejected all these restrictions, which were placed on us in terms of dress code, communicating effectively, arriving in time, greetings etc.The training sessions got over and we all left with relieved faces, looking forward to our work

I was chosen to work for finance division and introduced to 6 people, who were to be my juniors. Of these, the oldest employee was 55 years old followed by 3 middle aged persons and 2 employees in their 20’s. My immediate step was to call up the group and tell them that am going to be their boss and they would be reporting to me henceforth.

My cold attitude towards the older employees was received with a much colder response. The 55 year old employee started telling me that “my experience is more than your age” and I used to ridicule him for still being my junior. I started providing more independence to the younger staff that I considered would be more enthusiastic and energetic. I never heeded to advice of certain elder people in my office, who were very understanding and nice to me. I was very proud of running my office in my own style with flexi timing, putting more responsibility on younger employees, cold attitude towards older employee etc.

One day I was informed by my department head that my team had underperformed and many personal complaints are noted against me. I was asked to set things right in a month’s time. I came to understand that my cold treatment to the 55 year old employee has resulted in drop in performance as he was the most efficient of all

I recalled my training books on office etiquettes and discussed this issue over with some well-wishers. The first step I did, was to call up the 55 year old employee and apologized for my indifferent attitude towards him and promised to be a good boss henceforth. Second amend I brought into my work life was to arrive before time into office. This not only earned me respect from my juniors, it also allowed me to plan my day’s work, well in advance and review works of staff. This further led to control and efficiency. The third and most important amend I brought into was to greet each and every employee with a smile. When I left my office for career reasons after 1 year, I was taken for a treat by all my juniors and when they spoke about me highly, I really saw the importance of etiquettes.

From then on, I had learnt to analyze my shortcomings and realized that change is a continuous phenomenon which is applicable to each and every individual, in each different situation faced in your work life. One who learns to deal with it at the most appropriate time gets along successfully?