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Beyond professional competence, individuals need to pay attention to everything from their behavior and self-expression to the type of food they eat for lunch at the office. These are all factors that will impact their career development.
It is necessary to improve one's understanding of workplace etiquette.
Business Insider quotes Myka Meier, founder of Beaumont Etiquette, which offers business etiquette courses for companies and individuals.
Meier has listed common behavioral mistakes that people, especially Gen Z, often make in the workplace.
New Gen Z workers are still learning about office etiquette, both inside and outside the workplace, especially after experiencing online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a format that requires little interaction skills.
Many Gen Z individuals have been criticized by older colleagues for inappropriate work attire or being too open on social media. Meier advises these young people to educate themselves about workplace etiquette by reading books on the subject.
"I grew up without being taught proper etiquette. I educated myself by realizing that there are situations that require certain rules of conduct, and I didn't know that, causing those around me to react negatively," she recounted.
According to Meier, certain rules will endure regardless of the era, including arriving early for meetings, dressing professionally, and eating politely. But the first and most important principle is showing respect to others, she added.
"It all comes down to social intelligence. You might be the smartest person in the room, but if your emotional intelligence isn't up to par, you probably still have a lot to learn," Meier noted.
Invite candidates out for a meal to assess their demeanor.
The expert shared a famous story about Walt Bettinger, the CEO of Charles Schwab Financial Group (USA). He often invited job applicants to dinner to see how they performed at the table.
"Do they treat their staff well? If not, that's how they'll treat their team."
"Can they eat properly and respectfully towards others at the table? That's how they'll eat in front of customers. That's his test," Meier recounted.
Meier said that demand for her etiquette courses is at its highest level ever since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020. The disruption to the workplace has caused many people to forget how to behave in the office.
It's not just obvious inappropriate behaviors like eating smelly lunches or dressing too sloppily. Several large companies, including KPMG and Deloitte, have reported that their newest recruits also lack crucial soft skills. This stems from the fact that these young people have spent their university years learning online.
These skills include difficulty with eye contact, collaborating with colleagues, and giving face-to-face presentations.
"There are certain business practices and standards that remain immutable in certain industries. Generation Z will need to adhere to those standards to succeed in those specific fields," she added.
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