Have you heard the saying: “people will forget what you said but they won’t forget how you made them feel”? Mastering the art of business savoir-vivre is crucial on the journey to becoming successful.
Here are 5 Essential Rules for Professional Success:
Keep Your Word
Promises and commitments are the currency of trust. When you say you will deliver a project by a certain date or meet a deadline, it's imperative to honor that commitment. Reliability builds trust, and trust is the absolute bedrock of successful professional relationships.
Breaking promises or consistently failing to meet commitments can damage your reputation and erode the trust others place in you. It’s always better to under promise and over deliver.
2. Respect Boundaries
Respecting boundaries is a fundamental aspect of business etiquette. This involves recognizing and honoring the personal and professional boundaries of others. It's crucial to be mindful of people's time, privacy, and personal space.
Avoiding intrusive questions, not overstepping personal boundaries, and being aware of cultural differences contribute to creating a respectful and inclusive workplace. By respecting the boundaries of others, you demonstrate a high level of emotional intelligence and professionalism.
3. Communicate Expectations
Clearly articulating expectations ensures that everyone is on the same page and minimizes misunderstandings. Whether it's setting project goals, outlining job responsibilities, or discussing performance expectations, communication is key.
Effective communication involves active listening as well. Taking the time to understand others' perspectives and concerns fosters collaboration and teamwork. Communicating expectations helps avoid multiple problems.
4. Professional Presentation
A polished and professional presentation style reflects a commitment to excellence and attention to detail, reinforcing the positive image you project in the business world. People assume things about us based on how we present ourselves, whether in person or online. If we look messy, they’ll assume our work is messy. If we look outdated, they’ll assume our expertise is outdated.
A big part of professional presentation is being on time. I always try to follow this rule: “10 minutes early is on time, on time is late and 10 minutes late is not acceptable”. Even if something happens, by trying my best to follow this rule I can minimize being late.
5. Take Responsibility for Yourself
Taking responsibility for your actions and decisions is a mark of true professionalism. If mistakes are made, own up to them and take the necessary steps to rectify the situation. Avoiding blame-shifting and acknowledging your role in both successes and failures demonstrates integrity and accountability. At the end of the day, we’re all human and mistakes happen from time to time.
Avoid any kind of victim behaviours to be seen as professional, always focus on what you can do not on what you cannot do.
Would you add anything to this list?
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