Maintain Professionalism Even While Working From Home
If you work from home, even part of the time, you still need to maintain professionalism in your appearance, your work, and your interactions. One way to do that is to follow the rules of good business etiquette so you are always presentable, polished, and respectful of others.
As a top-notch employee, it’s in your best interest to display professionalism at all times, even when working from home. In doing so, you’ll increase your job security, inherently command respect from your coworkers, and impress your boss. And if you follow the proper business etiquette, you’ll advance your career to new heights of success.
5 Business Etiquette Rules You Should Always Follow
Practice these five business etiquette rules, whether you go to the office or work from home.
- Dress appropriately, at least from the waist up. Be well groomed and be neat. When attending virtual meetings, make sure your top has a polished look and does not conflict with your virtual background. Remember that what you wear says a lot about who you are, and you want your clothing to take a backseat to your expertise and knowledge about the job.
- Wear something appropriate around your neck and shoulders, like a simple necklace or a shirt with collar and tie.
- Keep in mind that your grooming habits have a lot to do with the way others perceive you at work. If you look disheveled and have “bed head hair” colleagues will focus on how you look won’t even hear what you have to say.
- Respect the higher-ups. You have to earn your respect from the management in your company. Treat those above you with the utmost respect, and go above and beyond the call of your job description when appropriate.
- Reach out to your managers to let them know about how your team is doing and how you are doing. Communicating up will open more doors for you.
- Treat your coworkers with respect. Regardless of your personal differences, keep interactions with coworkers cordial and professional. Speak to your colleagues the way you wish to be spoken to, and you’ll garner their respect.
- If you are having a disagreement with your coworker, keep a professional tone and demeanor when you discuss the matter with them. For strategies on dealing with coworker disagreements, see Dealing with Feuding Coworkers.
- Always give your best effort. One of the simplest ways to stand out from the crowd is to give your best effort from the moment you start your day each morning. While others only do enough to get by, you’ll stand out from the rest for your efforts.
- Be willing to admit when you lack the information necessary to perform a task that you have been asked to complete.
- Ask plenty of questions and get as much information as possible. When you do, you’ll stand head and shoulders above everyone else in your office.
- If you have a stuck project or have a new project you don’t want to get stuck, see The Productivity Miracle – Finish that Project You’ve Been Putting Off
- Be enthusiastic. If you wear a smile on your face and speak with a cheerful voice, you will be noticed by the people who matter in your company.
- When talking on the phone, if you smile, the person on the other end will feel more relaxed. When in virtual meetings, use a virtual background makes you feel relaxed.
- If you feel less than chipper, fake it until the feelings follow. Your day will go more smoothly, you’ll be more productive, and you’ll make a lasting impression on the management of your company.
Above all, strive to provide top quality work each and every day. Do it with a smile and demonstrate a willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty. Don’t let the comfort and distractions of working from home derail your professionalism. Follow these rules of good business etiquette, stay productive, and keep your career on track.
Need Help with Confidence & Professionalism?
If you would like help maintaining professionalism working in or out of the office, schedule a Life Goals Discovery Session. During this life-changing conversation you will become crystal clear on your goals, you will discover the obstacles that are holding you back, and you will define your next steps. You’ll advance your career to new heights as you build stronger professional relationships.