Business Etiquette 101

There is a huge difference between the etiquette that is appropriate in the business world compared to that which is appropriate in your personal life. We must recognize this difference and act accordingly.

Being polite, listening to what people have to say respectfully and patiently is a very basic requirement in the private world we all inhabit, our social world. In the business world, where time is money and communications are about business, we need not – and should not – carry over the same standards, not at all. That’s the real problem – many people have been well-trained to be respectful, polite, to listen and wait and respond appropriately. This will not play well in the business world.

If I listened respectfully and entertained every call that came my way during the day, allowing every person who calls me to have access to me and be allowed to have their say, I would never get anything done, ever. Thus I have no choice other than to screen calls that are a waste of time, redundant, sales pitches I do not want to hear, people I do no want to talk with. I have the right to monitor my time and and any conversation that ceases to be productive can and should be immediately ended with a polite but firm and unequivocal “goodbye” or “thank you, I must go”. I hang up without waiting for the response. There’s no need to, it makes no difference. When your time is being wasted you have a right to end that at any time you feel it’s appropriate.

Rude? No, I say it’s an appropriate utilization of time management skills. You must control your time and effort, you cannot allow others with their own agenda to control your time or you will accomplish very little. This can apply to meetings as well. End them when the business is over. There is no need to continue any longer than what serves the business purpose.

This does not mean you should not be polite when ending a conversation or a meeting. One should always be polite but there is also no need to allow anyone to waste your time and you should never feel obligated to listen again or to more than you want to hear. Politely end it, say goodbye and leave. That works. It can be abrupt, and not what others want to hear or do, but you have the option to be purposeful while polite. You are a busy person and cannot dawdle over coffee or chit-chat or listen again to what you have already heard… or to what you do not want to hear at all.

Wasting time is a huge issue in the business world and a busy person must learn how to control his time and that means controlling what others want to do with it. It’s your call, not theirs. Do it politely and yes, abruptly and firmly. It will be respected, and your time will be more productive.