Be not curious to know the affairs of Others neither approach those that speak in private.
George Washington – The Rules of Civility
In the workplace, it’s essential to maintain a professional and courteous atmosphere. Of course, it can be tempting to be curious about what your peers are discussing in private, but we should always respect others’ personal space and privacy.
All of us could use a little help sometimes when it comes to navigating social situations. And even if you think you’ve got it all down, you might be surprised by how many people don’t know how to act in specific settings and how much more smoothly social interactions can go with just a few adjustments.
Here are some tips on how to do just that:
If one person is relating something, do not break in with your own story no matter how interesting it may seem to yourself. You can tell it later or at another time but now let each person have an opportunity to relate experiences without interruption.
If two or more are conversing together, and you come near them, do not join unless desired or invited. It is impolite for anyone to disturb two persons who wish for a private conversation.
One of the essential skills to have in a professional setting is being aware of social manners. It’s easy to get caught up in your world and forget that you’re one person within a larger group. Still, if you remember the following rules above, you’ll be able to navigate in any professional scenario.
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