Every group of people whether in a workplace, home, or religious gathering has some kind of spoken or unspoken code of conduct by which members align themselves informally or formally, consciously or unconsciously. Fortunately, people have the power to choose what these codes will be- negative or positive- or whether or not they will be governed by them. Unfortunately, more often than not, people form and abide by negative codes rather than positive ones. The reason is simple: it is much harder to form a positive habit than it is to form a negative habit; or according to the so-called Eng’s Principle: the easier it is to do, the harder it is to change.
Sad to say, over the course of my career in both the public and private industry, I have observed that negative codes or toxic traits, the end product of which births the ko-mean syndrome; that is, careless, crass and mediocre behaviour, is deeply entrenched in our work places today, more in some than in others, with the public sector being the worst hit. Among many toxic traits in the workplace are:
– Idle Chatter and Workplace Gossip: Malicious and slanderous talks create tension and disruption and it can undermine productivity and can cause irreparable damage in the workplace. It can hurt morale and can also distract employees from their more important responsibilities. But if the aforementioned reasons are not sufficient enough to discourage your participation in the grapevine, consider that the penalty for getting caught is quite high. It could range from the loss of good relationships to the acquisition of the title of a tale bearer, or to even the end of what would have been a profitable career. Once caught, your reputation as a gossip and rumourmonger will overshadow all your bright achievements, and leave you with a tainted image. It is usually best to refrain from discussing the private matters of your co-workers.
When you aren’t sure of what constitutes gossip, ask yourself if what you are about say is hurtful or damaging? Can it be said in front of the person concerned without hurting their feelings? When you ask yourself these questions and answer them honestly, it helps you identify the difference between idle chit chat and gossip. And when you find yourself in the midst of gossips, do not sit there quietly and listen, that makes you a passive gossip. In other words, the act of active listening actually supports and promotes gossiping. The more you listen, the more you encourage it. If you don’t listen, those involved in it will take the hint and go elsewhere.
– Use of Vernacular: As a person of class, one of the most damaging habits you can take on in your workplace or any official gathering for that matter is to freely indulge in the use of vernacular. Speaking one’s mother tongue or Pidgin English in a multicultural business environment is very wrong. In the business world, making a good impression and projecting yourself as mature, intelligent, confident, and professional is critical to long-term success. Vernacular or Pidgin English is inappropriate language, and it will negatively affect your credibility and put off or even offend those you work with. Both in speech and in writing take the time and make the effort to use appropriate language. As a manager, a quick way to eradicate this habit from your office is to classify it as a punishable offence.
– Eating in office spaces: While organisational cultures may differ on the policy of eating in the office, it is hardly an ideal thing to eat at one’s desk. For offices that have built in dining areas, whether it is clearly stated in your office policy or not, etiquette demands that when you have to snack or lunch, it should be done in the space allocated for it: the dining area. On the other hand, for offices that are not built with a dining area, if your policy allows it, it is acceptable to dine at your desk, but be guided by the following:
o Do not bring food with pungent smells to the office. Meals prepared with garlic, iru[1]or any other strong smelling ingredient are sure to pollute your office space, not to talk of leaving your breath stale. A smelly office or breath is unprofessional to say the least. Avoid this.
o Never eat when interacting with customers or clients. If you have to eat at your desk, then avoid messy foods such as spaghetti, okro soup, palm oil stew or any other meal that leaves stains. Instead, choose something simple like a sandwich. Throw away all food wrappers, and if you spill anything, clean it up immediately.
o If you share an office space with other colleagues, then be sure to work with their schedules. Decide on a time that you can all have lunch and stick to this time. During this period, unanimously agree that customers should not be allowed into the office.
– Gross Personal Habits: Certain basic principles of grooming and personal hygiene are required for everyday life and mandatory for making the right impression on people. Ignore them and your career and social and personal life will suffer. Whether it is a normal bodily function, or a personal idiosyncrasy, a person’s personal habits say a dozen about their personality. A simple act like coughing, depending on how it is done betrays you or elevates you in the mind of onlookers. Refinement shows in how you dress, smell and act. And the quickest way to hurt your image in the minds of others, is to violate any of the following simple rules:
o Cover your mouth with a handkerchief when coughing, yawning and sneezing.
o Do not bite or clip your fingernails or toenails in public.
o Do not pick your nose in the office. That will offend anybody’s sensibility.
o Keep sweaty armpits down and out of sight. Bathing twice a day and using a good anti-perspirant will do a lot to keep body odour away. But note that no perfume in the world is strong enough to camouflage the odour of over worn and dirty clothes. Be sure to wear clean clothes and underwear at all times. Gentlemen, please note that the rule is: a brief or boxer short and a singlet a day. Do not repeat underwear. The same applies for ladies and with stronger emphasis.
o Be sure to keep your breath fresh. If you have been quiet for a long time, there is a high chance that your breath will be stale, so do not open your mouth carelessly and speak into people’s nostrils. Freshen your breath with a candy or tic-tac or mint and also take regular sips of water. In the case of a serious case of mouth odour, seek medical help fast.
o Chewing gum loudly is crass and will make you look cheap.
o Ladies keep your hair neat and free from dandruff. Gentleman, never sport overgrown and untidy looking beards. If you wish to keep full hair, be prepared to make the necessary investments- time and products required to keep you looking fresh.
o When some people speak for a while, saliva builds up at the corners of their mouths. If this applies to you, be conscious of it, and dab it off as often as necessary.
o Do not pick pimples in a public place.
o Farting in public is as nasty as peeing in public. It is especially worse if you do it in a room packed full of people. At times, farting can’t be controlled especially after eating beans! So treat passing gas as you would treat peeing; seek out a secluded place to do it.
o Ladies avoid tight panties or underwear that might necessitate a lot of adjusting. Do not be caught adjusting your pant lines or your brassiere in public. Gentlemen, wear voluminous briefs. ‘Packing’ or adjusting is a highly toxic trait.
o Do not scratch any part of your body in public. Even if it is a mosquito bite, do it in a discreet manner. Similarly, ladies should not slap to scratch their heads to soothe itching sensation.
o Excessive drinking and getting drunk in public, especially in business social forums will make you look unreliable and incapable. It diminishes the power of your presence. No one takes drunks seriously.
Excessive touching in a business setting is taboo. To those who are inclined to touch others while speaking, this habit is highly offensive, especially for females. Most women run away from men who touch at the slightest whim, or in an overly friendly way. In the same way, ladies should minimise the frequency with which they touch male colleagues. You do not want to give wrong signals. Do not poke, hug, tickle or grab fellow employees. Do not reach out and touch or pat pregnant bellies. Your co-workers aren’t necessarily your friends and even those who are may not enjoy being touched.
