I've written a couple blogs on workplace behavior. Seems only logical to dream up a few rules for the workplace etiquette. (My advance apologies to the bible).
1) Thou shalt not lie or cheat or steal or defame. I packed a lot into this first one because it seems the very foundations of business these days needs a strong overhaul. (That goes for the government too). Wow, what would a workplace be like if people were always honest and truthful and there was no such thing as corporate fraud? Maybe this is a bit to much to wish for. Kinda like the Garden of Eden.
2) Honor not just thy superiors but also thy peers and subordinates. Yes there is the pecking order in the business world but that shouldn't give anyone an excuse to not show simple respect for others.
3) Thou shalt listen to the ideas of others. Don't be a conversation or idea hogger. Other people have good ideas too. Listen for a change, you may learn something.
4) Thou shalt come to work in a cheerful mood. Nobody likes a Debbie downer (especially if you are the boss). The work atmosphere is dramatically impacted by the emotions of those in the workplace. Now everyone has difficult days and that is understandable, but try not to take out your frustrations on your colleagues.
5) Thou shalt acknowledge the good deeds of others. Everyone likes a pat on the back once in awhile. You don't have to play the "yes" person but give credit when credit is due.
6) Thou shalt not brag. If you have to brag to get your ideas noticed, maybe you didn't express them in the proper fashion. Bragging (especially if you are the boss) can be interpreted as taking all the credit. Even if you accomplished 99% of the task alone, there is probably a good chance someone else did something that enabled successful completion of the task.
7) Thou shalt not talk behind colleagues back. If you have a gripe or something to say, address it with the person directly. If you can't because of fear of repercussion, go to
8) Thou shalt not be two faced. This can be a killer. Eventually these kind of actions will come out and you will have a lot of explaining to do.
9) Thou shalt not use social media to vet frustrations about the workplace. This is similar (but may have wider ramifications) to commandment seven about not talking behind colleagues back. Social media can be the devil in black. Anything that hits the internet stays on the internet and it is pretty difficult to retract a statement. Be cognizant of proper social media etiquette when it comes to your employer.
10) Thou shalt not criticize or reprimand in public. Think about when you were a kid. The last thing you wanted was your parents correcting you or yelling at you in public. It doesn't matter if you are the boss or a co-worker. If you have a beef to pick, it is better done in a private manner. (With the proper human resource attention.)
I'm sure there are many more commandments that could be written but since the bible saw fit to only list 10, who am I to argue? Of course, we could start a whole series of 10 commandments like "the 10 commandments for":
-Being a good employee
-Being a good boss
-Being a good collegue
.....The list continues. :)
By Lynn Fountain, CGMA, CRMA, MBA