In a professional environment, manners play a key role not only in interpersonal relationships, but also in building a reputation and achieving success. Personal culture at work – what should you remember? What are examples of breaking the rules of personal culture? What are the rules of savoir-vivre in business? Why is it worth following the rules of savoir vivre?

CONTENTS

• What is personal culture?
• Work culture – what is it and why is it so important?
• What is personal culture at work?
• Savoir vivre in the office — principles of personal culture at work
• What should a cultured person avoid?

What is personal culture?

Personal culture is otherwise savoir vivre, a French expression that literally means: “to know and live”, “the art of living”. Knowledge of the principles of savoir vivre is simply knowledge of the principles of good manners. They apply to every culture and may vary from place to place. What may be acceptable in one country may not be acceptable in another. It is therefore worth getting acquainted with such rules when traveling to another country or working with foreigners.

Personal culture affects almost every sphere of our lives, and the rules differ depending on where we are. A different personal culture will apply in school, different in the workplace, and still different in the church.

What is a personal culture?

• conversation skills
• table manners
• appearance
• mimicry
• way of moving
• how to behave in certain situations or places
• respect

Work culture – what is it and why is it so important?

Work culture is an important element of any organization that affects the atmosphere, relations between employees and the results achieved. It is not just a set of rules or guidelines, but a deeply rooted philosophy that influences the way a company operates and what values are nurtured in it.

Work culture is built on a process basis, which means that in order to build and maintain it, it is necessary to maintain the same or similar attitudes for a long time. The more the team supports the work culture, the better it works together and works more effectively.

Work culture values and norms determine what behaviors are desirable and acceptable and what are inappropriate. Work culture can be based on principles such as respect, mutual assistance, openness to innovation or taking responsibility for the work performed. It is also the way the organization deals with difficulties, promotes the development of employees and cares for their well-being.

Organizational culture at work is, in a sense, a set of unwritten rules that govern behavior at work.

Why is work culture so important? What are the benefits of a work culture?

Because it affects how people work together, how they deal with challenges and what values they stand for. A clearly defined work culture can help avoid conflicts, improve communication and build lasting relationships within the team. Work culture can attract people with similar values and beliefs, creating a cohesive community in the organization.

What is personal culture at work?

Employee savoir vivre is a key element in building a professional reputation and a harmonious work environment. What does the work culture consist of?

• appropriate clothes at work
• cultural communication
• knowledge of the hierarchy – proper manners in relation to superiors
• way of relating to colleagues
• way of organizing work
• keeping your workplace tidy

Workplace culture impacts productivity, engagement and overall employee satisfaction

Savoir vivre in the office — principles of personal culture at work

The principles of good manners at work are guidelines and norms of behavior that contribute to creating a positive and professional environment in the workplace. They include the way employees communicate, collaborate and deal with challenges. What are the rules regarding personal etiquette in the workplace?

• Group communication – listen to other participants in the group and respect their opinions.
• Speech culture – Avoid interrupting others while they are speaking. Avoid offensive remarks or inappropriate phrases. Adapt your speech to the context and situation.
• Cleanliness of the workplace – order in the workplace shows the level of personal culture. Remember that you are not alone at work, it is worth taking care of the surroundings of both your work environment and others.
• Greeting at work – it is rude to pass employees by without saying a word. If someone is older, we should say hello first.
• Salutation phrases – when writing an email, depending on who it is addressed to, you need to use the right vocabulary. If the recipient of our message is a supervisor or president, it is worth using phrases such as: Yours faithfully, Sincerely, Dear Mr. President, etc.
• Respect – Mutual respect is a fundamental principle of good manners at work. This means respecting other employees, their opinions, as well as their time and space. Avoid criticizing in public and undermining authority.
• Helping others – Being kind is also part of the work culture.

Building an organizational culture is an extremely important process that affects how the company operates, what values it represents and what relationships it creates both internally and externally. It is a kind of foundation on which the entire structure of the organization rests.

What should a cultured person avoid?

Personal culture is shaped throughout life. A cultured person should avoid behavior that may be considered inappropriate, offensive or unprofessional. An employee with high personal culture at work should not:

• Talking loudly and disturbing others at work – it is worth paying attention to the fact that you are working with others. Not everyone can concentrate in a noisy environment. If you have something important to say or need to answer the phone, you can always leave the room so as not to disturb others.
• Being late – it’s not for nothing that they say “time is money”. It is worth respecting the time of others, because no one likes when someone stands us out or is late.
• Eat out loud – The principle of eating in public is to do it quietly and with your mouth closed. Any munching, munching, sobbing is considered a lack of personal culture.
• Overly focused on yourself – it is worth remembering that you are working with other people, and you are not the center of the world. To live in harmony with others, we must listen to them and help them when needed.
• Interrupting others – This is very rude and can be perceived as disrespectful to the other person. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and interrupting shows that we do not want to listen to the end of this person.

Breaking the rules of good manners is unacceptable behavior that can negatively affect our relationships with other people and the general social atmosphere. However, a man with high personal culture is respected and well perceived by the community and maintains good and positive relations with everyone.

A man’s personal culture depends on his upbringing. The patterns of behavior that we have learned from the immediate environment also have an impact. Respect for co-workers and superiors is one of the most important rules related to good manners at work. The culture of the profession affects our behavior and positive relationships in the work environment. The behavior of the company’s employees builds its image, which is why it is so important for employers. The principles of work culture should be maintained in each workplace. It must be remembered that personal culture is required in any work with clients.

A manifestation of personal culture at work is respecting colleagues and superiors through empathy and professionalism. Fostering open communication, focusing on resolving conflicts in a constructive way, and caring for a common team goal are also important aspects of personal culture in the workplace.

Also check: Changing jobs – when is the best time?