EXCUSE ME

Microaggressions.  We've heard the term satirized but surprisingly Thomas talks about microaggressions as the subtle forms of disrespect intended to marginalize or belittle or dismiss.  She quotes Dr. Derald Wing Sue, a professor of counseling psychology at Columbia as "the everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership."    And she says that disrespect breeds rudeness, which is contagious and unhealthy.

Ross highlights the problems of good, older workers who are feeling pushed out and disrespected by their younger colleagues.  She asks if a new business etiquette playbook be designed exclusively with younger worker in mind?  And her simple answer is no.  Millennials, bare still outnumbered by traditionalist, baby boomers, and Generation Xers combined.  And these folks are still largely in charge.

So the answer is to learn the rules, study the book, and figure out how you are coming across.  The short sections on the 4 major demographics - Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y/Millennials could have filled the whole book.  Each chapter closes with "Remember," simple guidance to behave better.  The author includes advice on managing tricky working challenges, like carpooling, out of town travel behavior, drinking, bringing guests, and even how to greet hosts.  There are so many points at which we are unconsciously creating impressions, creating our brand, that go beyond the basics.  Time spent reading this book in bits, taking time to think through and absorb, is time well spent.

Patricia E. Moody

FORTUNE magazine  "Pioneering Woman in Mfg" 

IndustryWeek IdeaXchange Xpert

A Mill Girl at Blue Heron Journal, on-line resource for business thought-leaders and decision-makers, pemoody@aol.com, patriciaemoody@gmail.com, tricia@patriciaemoody.com,