How to Shape Your Career: Pleasant Manners

There is nothing like cultivating pleasant manners at the work place. Often you think that once you are settled in a job, there is no need to be continually good mannered. Nothing is more ridiculous than this approach. Pleasant manners should always guide us in our work spot. We should always remember that most of our working time taken up in the office or connected with the work demands from us utmost courteous approach and behavior towards our colleagues and customers. Let there be no lapse in this on any account.

We are not to cultivate a brazen or off-hand manner in our work spot. Where is the need to go about in a boorish manner? Why should there be presumptuous attitude in the place where we work? Constantly aiming to move with others in a dignified and appropriate manner would only enhance our stature. To be referred to as a 'gentleman', 'always well-behaved' must be a source of pride for us. Do you remember how you behaved on the first day of your job? You wanted everyone to feel that you are cultured, affable and a well-mannered gentleman. Why that attitude should change at all?

Even more necessary is to maintain the affability when our work involves meeting the customers of the company often. We are in the office not just in our individual capacity but in our official role as some functionary representing an organization. It should, therefore, be borne in mind that the way we conduct ourselves would be a reflection of the institution where we work. It is the image of the firm and we are bound to preserve a dignified approach in our dealings with all those who come in contact with us.

There could be some occasions when personally we fee; we have been let down by our higher authorities or even by our subordinates. That need not immediately reflect in our attitude towards customers of the firm. They are not interested in the personal bickering among the employees of the firm they visit. They are entitled to privileges and courtesy due to a customer, who after all will contribute towards the income of the firm. So our personal likes and dislikes have no place while dealing with strangers.

And after all, what is expected of us while dealing with strangers who come to our work spot? To put them at ease, explain the salient features of the product they are interested in or if the firm deals with services the special characteristics of such services as distinguished from the competitors' services. Here the impression you create in the minds of the buyer is of great significance. You do not have a personal responsibility here; you have an official responsibility. You are entrusted with the job of smoothly handling the customer and your personal frustrations or likes and dislikes have no place while dealing with the customer. That is the cardinal point.

Also, We must remember that a genuine desire to improve one's conduct with others requires assiduous cultivation of pleasant manners. Where is the need to be offensive in word or gesture when you can with a smile and polite words make the stranger feel at ease and admire your way of handling things. Also remember that the more refined your approach, the better would be the results for the firm.