A.    Key Components of Professionalism

Honesty and Integrity

Professionalism means always doing the right thing, even when no one is watching, even when it's hard. It's about being honest, fair, and keeping your promises. Whether you're talking to classmates, working on a project with your colleague, or doing research, professionalism is like having a moral compass – guiding you to make good choices and putting others first.

Reliability and Responsibility

Being responsible means taking care of tasks and keeping your word. It's about doing what you're supposed to do and admitting mistakes when they happen.

Respect for others.

Respecting people is at the core of being a good professional, which means treating everyone fairly. One must treat all people with respect and regard for their individual worth and dignity. One must be fair and nondiscriminatory, understanding their feelings and background, and keeping their information private. It applies to students, families, employers, and colleagues.

Compassion and Empathy

Being helpful is important. When you're helping, it's crucial to listen carefully and respond with kindness to what your colleagues are worried about. It’s important to listen carefully and respond kindly to colleagues’ worries. Helping them cope with stress and anxiety should be a part of our everyday approach.

Self-improvement

This is about always trying to be the best by constantly learning. It means being open to learning from mistakes and aiming for excellence by evaluating yourself and accepting feedback from others.

Communication and Collaboration

This is important for helping others in your industry well. Working together and communicating well with your colleagues is vital for providing the best help.

B.    Five Tips for proper workplace etiquette

Honor your commitments.

Workplace professionalism is a big topic, and it might seem overwhelming to figure out where to begin with your own habits. However, if you always make sure to complete your assignments and stick to your commitments, it shows that you're responsible and can get things done. Being on time for your workday, meetings, and other work-related events, whether in person or online, is also important.

Be attentive, responsive, and proactive.

A great way to be professional at work is to show you care by paying attention. This can include taking notes, asking good questions, and using positive body language. Another way to show you’re committed is by being proactive. Instead of just pointing out problems, suggest solutions when you talk to your manager.

Get to know the workplace culture.

In every company, the work culture is unique. Look at how your colleagues dress and observe communication styles to understand the company's way of doing things. It's like learning the unwritten rules of your workplace.

Keep personal matters to a minimum.

Workplace etiquette is about respecting your organization and coworkers to maintain a productive environment. Whether in an office, cubicle, or open space, be mindful of personal space and time. Avoid excessive personal business, including extended social media breaks. Some companies have policies on social media use, so know and follow them. Never post negative comments about your job, boss, or coworkers as it could risk your job.

Avoid the negative side of office politics.

Office politics can be a bit tricky. Sometimes, it's needed when you're trying to move up the career ladder. The thing is, just by being an employee, you're already part of your organization's political scene.

But it’s possible to stay on the positive side of things in the following things:

·       Find common ground with your colleagues.

·       Don’t try to make others look bad.

·       Be mindful of your place in the larger company structure.

·       Prioritize company success over personal ‘wins”.

Office politics can be good when colleagues support and work together. But it can go bad when they compete instead of collaborating for the greater good. If you hear negative gossip, it's best not to join in the conversation.

A.    Personal Branding // Be clear with your Core Values

Personal branding involves defining and showcasing your individual identity, incorporating your unique blend of experiences, skills, and values. Similar to corporate brands, everyone has their personal brand, and it influences how others perceive them. Taking control of your personal brand allows you to shape the impressions people form when they engage with you.

In today's competitive world, your name should represent your qualities, values, and what you stand for. This is crucial for entrepreneurs and professionals aiming to stand out and be seen as leaders. Building a personal brand by sharing your expertise helps you gain trust and credibility, opening doors to business opportunities and partnerships.

Creating Boundaries

Approach

Setting limits at work might be difficult, but it is also important to your well-being. Studies show that employees who have a greater say in their work circumstances report less job stress.

·       Start by acknowledging the issue.

To establish clear professional boundaries, begin with an open conversation. Acknowledge your concerns about how your work may affect your relationship with a friend or colleague. Ask them about their feelings on the matter to ensure mutual understanding and set the foundation for a healthy work dynamic.

·       Keep things professional.

While it's okay for employees to vent about challenges or company policies, it's crucial to maintain a higher level of professionalism. Your role now involves promoting positivity, fostering team performance, and avoiding gossip. Even if it feels comfortable to maintain old dynamics, it's more beneficial for everyone if you establish and maintain emotional boundaries during work hours.

·       Define and communicate your boundaries.

There are different types of boundaries involved in working with a team. Sit down with your team (including your friends) and agree on the kinds of workplace boundaries you all need.

Verbal expression

·       Communication boundaries

How do you all prefer to communicate about work? By Slack, by work email, by WhatsApp? When is it OK to communicate about work—only during work hours? How will you maintain your work-life balance?

·       Physical boundaries

It's not just about personal space (though if you and your work friends love hugs, you might need to discuss if this is still appropriate). You can all agree on when to work, how long breaks should be, if it's cool to step out for fresh air and exercise during work hours, and other stuff like that.

·       Emotional boundaries

We often share personal feelings with friends that we wouldn't discuss with a manager or a colleague. It's essential to decide as a team, including your friends, what emotions you're comfortable sharing at work and what you'd rather keep private moving forward.

B. Dress code and appearance.

Presenting yourself well in everyday situations is a vital communication skill for employment and workplace success. Your words, actions, and appearance all contribute to your personal presentation. Dressing smartly, maintaining cleanliness and good hygiene, and carrying yourself confidently create a strong, professional first impression. Remember, you represent your company, so always aim to present yourself professionally at work and events.

Types of business attire

Smart Casual

·       Informal clothing that might be worn not only at work, but also outside of work.

·       Avoid wearing casual clothing with clients and during interviews.

·       Appropriate for more flexible offices.

·       Dresses, blazers, trousers, sports jackets, khakis, button-down shirts.

Business Casual

·       Generally appropriate for interviews, client meetings, and office settings.

·       Good way to dress if you’re unsure of the setting since it isn’t too formal or too casual.

·       Pencil skirts, button-downs, khakis, blazers, sport coats.

Business Formal

·       Usually reserved for the most formal settings such as award ceremonies, benefits, special dinners, or other evening work events.

·       Similar to “black tie” but reserved to maintain professionalism.

·       Pantsuit, skirt suit, dark suit and tie, black suit.

A. Understanding Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to recognize, understand, manage, and use emotions, both in oneself and others. It's a crucial skill for effective communication, especially in the workplace. Employees with high EI tend to excel in their careers and contribute positively to the organization, fostering better relationships and a positive work culture. On the flip side, those lacking emotional intelligence may struggle to handle their emotions, leading to impulsive actions with potential consequences for themselves and their colleagues.

Examples of emotional intelligence in action in the workplace include:

·       Constructive feedback, instead of personal criticism and challenging behaviors, not people.

·       Supporting colleagues through recognizing their emotions and working to reduce stress.

·       Keeping calm and productive under pressure.

·       Helping to resolve conflicts that arise between team members.

·       Creating a workplace where people are free to express themselves openly.

B. Self-awareness and Empathy

Self-awareness

Knowing oneself better builds positive self-esteem, crucial for those who learn and think differently. Self-awareness allows individuals to recognize both their challenges and strengths, enabling them to thrive by understanding what supports their well-being. It also helps them grasp that their self-perception may differ from how others perceive them.

·       Self-awareness is the ability to tune in to your feelings, thoughts, and actions.

·       Being self-aware also means being able to recognize how other people see you.

·       People who are self-aware recognize their strengths and their challenges.

Empathy

Empathy in the workplace is the ability to understand and share the feelings of colleagues, fostering a positive and collaborative environment. It goes beyond mere understanding, involving a genuine appreciation of others' perspectives and emotions. This skill is vital for effective communication, as it reduces misunderstandings and conflicts. Additionally, empathetic leaders can build trust, boost employee morale, and navigate conflicts with a holistic understanding of their team's well-being. In a broader context, a workplace culture rooted in empathy contributes to a positive and inclusive atmosphere, enhancing overall job satisfaction and organizational success. 

A. Importance of Time Management

It’s organizing time by thoroughly planning workloads so employees can ensure they meet deadlines. Time management isn’t about working harder, it’s about being smarter so employees don’t overwhelm themselves and put themselves under unnecessary pressure.

By managing their time well employees will meet deadlines, improve their efficiency, be more productive, and deliver better work. They’ll also have a greater level of job satisfaction because they’ll feel less stressed, which will aid them with career progression and ultimately lower your business’s staff turnover.

Benefits of good time Management

Increased efficiency and performance

Poor time management leads to employees feeling overwhelmed, whereas those with strong time management will have improved efficiency, which in turn leads to better performance.

Delivering work on time

This is the most obvious benefit of effective time management, but it’s also one of—if not the—most important. Time management helps employees meet deadlines, which is critical when it comes to meeting client expectations.

Delivering work on time

This is the most obvious benefit of effective time management, but it’s also one of—if not the—most important. Time management helps employees meet deadlines, but it also impacts their health. As an employer, you have a responsibility to ensure the mental health of your employees is an important consideration. Employees who experience stress are more likely to take sick days and find alternate employment.

Higher quality of work

With good time management employees have the time they need to deliver work that isn’t just on time, but also of a higher quality.

Boosts confidence

When employees are on top of their workload it gives them a boost in confidence and allows them to trust their own abilities. This in turn also helps to reduce stress and anxiety due to the body producing dopamine.

Decreases procrastination and downtime

When employees prioritize tasks, they avoid procrastination and adopt an "eat the frog" approach, tackling important things first. This cuts down on wasted time, making work more efficient and improving the balance between work and personal life.

A good work-life balance not only benefits the employee, but when an employee feels rested and has the opportunity to recharge, they’re in the best position possible to deliver their best work.

Make better decisions

When employees have time to focus and work thoroughly it prevents the need for them to make decisions under pressure. Instead, they can make informed decisions based on all the knowledge they need to make the best call.

B.    Prioritization Techniques

Set Clear Goals

·   Clearly understand your goals and priorities before organizing tasks.

·   Define what you want to achieve to focus efforts on tasks aligned with your goals.

Evaluate Tasks Based on Impact

·   Prioritize tasks with a higher impact on achieving your defined goals.

·   Assess how each task contributes to your overall objectives.

Consider Effort Required

·   Prioritize tasks that demand less effort but still significantly contribute to your goals.

·   Balance the importance of tasks with the effort they require.

Review and Adjust

·   Prioritization is an ongoing process; regularly review and adjust priorities.

·   Stay open to changes based on evolving goals, resources, or priorities.

Focus on One Task at a Time

·   Resist the urge to multitask, as it can reduce productivity and increase stress.

·   Concentrate on one task at a time to complete it efficiently and maintain quality, aiding effective goal achievement.